Theos-Talk Archives (August 2005 Message tt00163)

8/18/2005 11:21 AM

RE: Harmony and Truth in the Society?

Dear Friend:

As I see it, to clear the air of differences of opinion, we need to use the
fundamental teachings of THEOSOPHY .

Modern investigation and theorizing about human psychology are pitifully
inadequate. We are burdened with educated limits, misinterpretations, and
often indoctrinated with inaccurate logic and imposed "authority." We need
to activate our own individual freedom of thought and choose a base that is
broad, tested, impersonal and true to the facts as they are for all.

Without detailing these lets view what THEOSOPHY teaches:

Just posted this:

RE: Modern movement of the Occult

Dear Friend:

In a world (and UNIVERSE) ruled since aeons by harmony and mutual
consideration -- generosity and cooperation -- any distortion or selfish use
of power by choice shows up as a nexus of confusion.

There are, say the ancient Sages, who have tested the accuracy of these
many, many times: 3 fundamental facts on which the whole universe exists
and runs:

[These are as inescapable and inevitable as the basic rules of arithmetic
are to the most complex mathematical equations. No one objects to them, but
when we come to looking at the human mind, desire and emotional nature we
get troubled.] 


THEOSOPHY teaches:

1 SPIRIT and MATTER are interpenetrant and co-existent. MIND, the
3rd. component, is ever the contacting and uniting link between these two
extremes: "purity and all-knowingness," and, the limitations and selfish
isolation of any and all "forms."

Consciousness (as a basic whole - meaning to be perceptive, or aware of
laws, events, individuals, etc.) and degrees of intelligence (as individual
minds of whatever level of personal development and achievement) are thus
the base, and the progressive resultant of individual experience as a
"Mind." They are impossible to eliminate.

SPIRIT, MIND and MATTER are to be found in every LIFE UNIT without any
exception. (One may think of "String Theory," and visualize these as
individual "strings" of infinitesimal size.)   

These are in effect, "sparks," or "rays" of intelligent, immortal centers
that ever progress towards a complete understanding of the WHOLE. For this
ultimate goal, they have to study the action of their surroundings, and this
includes Universal Law and its impartial operations everywhere in Nature and
with the Human Kingdom. [One of our problems is that early religious
education and indoctrination usually makes us insensitive to this.] 

 

The UNIVERSE, and its innumerable components, are, each, of the same common
and original ESSENCE. We could say that the SPIRIT envelops all forms and
beings of whatever kind. We live in IT. We cannot escape it. We need to
learn what it is and how it works. We need to discover not only who we are
and what we can do, but why we are in our present individual situation.] 

 

The "forms of matter" used by individual INTELLIGENCES vary and change, are
"born" and "die." But the INTELLIGENCE [called a MONAD] is an eternal
entity. It is indestructible. It begins its life at no one discernable
antique point of time. "Duration" as a concept, takes care of all
"divisions of time." 

 

Humans are those Monads (as a special Mind-aspect, or stage of this "Eternal
Pilgrimage") -- mind-beings -- that have reached (on this enormous
pilgrimage) a present point of time in which the balance of SPIRIT and
MATTER is achieved -- and thus, the individual human mind has the
capability of perceiving the limitations of "matter" as its own "FORM."
Perceiving other "forms," it may mistake them as limited to those bodies
(and not as its immortal fellows, and "brothers," with the same comparable
and analogous capacities and limits), and the ideal and purity of SPIRIT, as
the ALL or the "ABSOLUTE" envelops us all. 

 

The human mind is capable of distinguishing between WISDOM or universal
responsibility and impersonal, compassionate, harmonious action, and
individual selfishness based on desire, emotion and a careless desire for

personal isolation, repose, peace, amusement, distraction, etc. These are
deemed aspects of universal law and virtue.

 

The progress of mankind as immortal Mind-beings, is through repeated
incarnations. The accumulated Karma (debts of a moral quality) that their
choices attach to them, provides a succession of experiences that are

educational. This process is universal. Our Universe is a School. Monads
that have progressed and attained "PERFECTION" of wisdom are our guides and
teachers. Considering the individual HIGHER SELF internal to us, we may
hazard to say that the SPIRIT, and the SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTOR is interior to
each of us. 

 

It is the control of the emotional and psychic side of man's nature that is
presently under study and improvement. Each Monad makes their own free
decisions. Once made the results are inevitably attached to the chooser.
The "Chooser Within" is the PERCEIVER, and IT is the ruler of the Mind and
the Emotions.

 

THEOSOPHY presents a rational and logical view of the history, as well as
the curriculum of experiences that living offers impartially to all. As to
the future, it offers a grand vista: Spiritual PERFECTION. This may be

obtained by virtuous disciplines carried forward over several lives. The
first step is to learn how to control the Mind. [See Patanjali's
Yoga-sutras. Available at: www.phx-ult-lodge.org ]

 

 

2 LAW, universal and impersonal JUSTICE for all, provides that
impersonal sensitivity that compels all to be responsible for its harmony in
regard to its immediate environment, as well as to the Whole. This is WISDOM

at work. It is called a Knowledge of the LAW of KARMA. [action and
equivalent reaction.] It requires study and wisdom to perceive the subtle
operations of Karma around us constantly, and realize the power of our
desires and choices to cause confusion in the vast harmony of universal
Life.  

 

Nature is the impersonal and uniform quality of the Universe that supports
life, nurtures all individual Monads, and educates all through experience.
It is always operative, and precedes the manifestation of worlds, as well as

of each human being.

 

The "WHOLE" is inevitably affected by the actions, choices and motives of
any and all the "parts" -- the individual Monads -- as they live and
struggle along within it. This makes for the Buddhist doctrine of "maya"
(illusion of forms." 

 

In effect the UNIVERSE may be looked on as the CENTRAL SPIRITUAL SUN; and
what we see of its contents are its many organs and methods of organization.
Some think of this as the UNIVERSAL SPIRIT -- and if so, then we all live
within it, and "heaven" is a state of mind and an attitude of comradeship
because we understand the need for the continual practice of brotherly
cooperation. Our own planet and World, and our physical body are miniature
copies of the vast WHOLE. As above, so below. Man is the microcosm; and
the great macrocosm is our LIVING and harmonious UNIVERSE. 

 

The Sage [in whom spiritual knowledge is resident and active) chooses to act
in harmony with the Universe. In a word, this is ever the practice of VIRTUE
in daily life. Brotherhood and assistance to all as Karma permits is the
ongoing process. Every human can choose to become a "Sag,." One of the band
of the "deathless-race" of WISE MEN

 

The "fool" makes the error of thinking his present "form" is the only
opportunity for life and experience he has. He tries and hopes that he can
isolate himself from everything else, do as he pleases, and avoid the
painful, educative

Consequences of reform to create for himself the circumstances that through
pain and suffering demand of the free-mind that it consider its
companionship with others, and their needs and rights. In a word, he
practices VICE to some degree. 

 

Universal Harmony soon works to straighten this out and restore peace and
quiet to all who are concerned in every case where selfish action has
disturbed the self-adjusting processes of cooperative life.  

 

MIND is thus, in effect, dual: Every Monad has 

 

(1) the HIGHER MIND [BUDDHI-MANAS] that practices virtue and is wise. And  

 

(2) the LOWER MIND [KAMA-MANAS] that attempts to secure selfish, isolated
and personal advantages at the expense of others. 

 

The inner PERCEIVER (wise because indifferent and unaffected by "desires,"
is the interior Resident, and the director of both Mind and Emotion. This
ought to be evident to all, using meditative insight.

 

 

3 The third basic proposition is that EVOLUTION IS UNIVERSAL.
Every immortal Monad is on this enormous stage and plane of experience,
using many bodies (forms)it lives and progresses towards WISDOM. This is the
great secret of "esotericism" and "occultism." We know it in our "hearts,"
but we need now to make sure of it.

 

There are three planes of existence meeting and melding : 

 

(1) the spiritual;

 

(2) the psychic (emotional and irrational desires, fancies, passions,
etc...); and 

 

(3) the physical -- constituted of the Life-atoms (each is a Monad at the
lowest level of its pilgrimage).

 

 

We find an explanation given in the THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY : pp.
170-1:  

 

"Kama [desire] is the first conscious, all embracing desire for universal

good, love, and for all that lives and feels, needs help and kindness, the

first feeling of infinite tender compassion and mercy that arose in the

consciousness of the creative ONE Force, as soon as it came into life and

being as a ray from the ABSOLUTE.

 

 

Says the Rig Veda, 

 

"Desire first arose in IT, which was the primal germ of mind, and which

Sages, searching with their intellect, have discovered in their heart to be

the bond which connects Entity with non-Entity," or Manas with pure

Atma-Buddhi. "

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

Of course we need to ponder over this to grasp its implications. We need to
study the theory of Karma, Reincarnation and the SEVEN PRINCIPLES in man and
the Universe. 

 

I trust this may prove useful as a basis for thinking and meditation.

                        

There are a few notes inserted below to consider. 

 

Best wishes,

 

Dallas

 

=====================================

 

-----Original Message-----

 

From: Mark Hamilton Jr.

 

Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 9:12 PM

To: 

Subject: Re: Modern movement of the Occult

 

 

I understand the mechanics behind it (simply put, if you do something wrong
with your power, you get it revoked).

 

But what I don't understand is, what classifies as abusive?

 

---------------------------------------------

 

DTB Anything that harms another is "abusive." 

 

Read the BHAGAVAD GITA -- its continuous message is that all actions ought
to be performed because they are necessary, and never in the hope of any
personal "REWARD." 

 

Impersonality, universality, compassion and tolerance are the clues.

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

 

o Showing off? (Say, showing your girlfriend and boss that you are
telepathic)

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

DTB And what is gained by that ? Pride goes before a fall. Vanity and
ambition lead where ? What permanence is there?

 

------------------------------------------------

 

 

o Continuous practice? (With the intent of furthering your own abilities)

 

------------------------------------------------

 

DTB And what are you going to do with those abilities you may cultivate ?
That is the real question. Is this amusement and temporary distraction - fit
for children? Or are we serous thinkers and adults?

 

---------------------------------------------------

 

 

o Neglecting other activities to practice? (Such as what I should be doing,
like reading the rest of the SD and finishing my commissions work)

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

DTB Carry out your known responsibilities as best you can to the full.
That is part of the discipline the aspirant imposes on himself. 

 

---------------------------------------------------------

 

 

And would a master know of these transgressions?

 

---------------------------------------------

 

DTB The psychic and astral disturbance created by the thoughts and
choices of the pupil does this. 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

 

Purely hypothetical questions.

 

-Mark H.

 

=============================

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Perry Coles
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 9:42 AM
To: 
Subject: Harmony and Truth in the Society?

 

Hi All,

 

At the moment I am just going over in my mind some thoughts on how groups
wanting to explore theosophical ideas can function more harmoniously while
not compromising on historical or philosophical integrity. 

 

===============================

 

DTB Truth and Facts are the only basis. No compromise is allowed in true
progress.

 

=================================

 

(and I mean to use that word harmony in the universal sense rather than the
sense of 'harmony' based on not mentioning uncomfortable subjects for the
sake of not offending some long held perception)

 

It seems that wherever people get together in organizations or groups,
problems will inevitably arise to a greater or lesser extent.

 

The theosophical society was founded not as a social club but as a place
where the ideal of brotherhood could be promoted through the study of
philosophy, religion and science in a free and open manner, meaning an
atmosphere and culture where ideas could be freely explored and if need be
challenged without fear of ostracism or

censorship be that in terms of history or philosophy.

 

=======================================

 

DTB Correct

 

========================================

 

HPB clearly shows by the statements she made in Lucifer (that have been
reproduced in this forum repeatedly) that theosophical publications should
not shy away from publishing challenging points of view.

 

It seems many who want to make a serious study of both the history of the
society and/or the various ideas expounded by the prominent writers of
theosophical material can find themselves marginalized and even made to feel
unwelcome and more importantly unable to present their findings and
observations in the Societies official

publications.

 

=======================================

 

DTB That would be evidence that the "spirit" of applied THEOSOPHY is
sadly diminished or lacking.

 

Honesty, sincerity, -- all the virtues are to be made practical without and
"holding back."

 

There is no other sure way. It cannot be done politically as an imposition,
but it can only be done individually as a self-disciplinary mode of living
all the time. This is the "Path" of the "Heart Doctrine" and of true
occultism. See The VOICE OF THE SILENCE, and make use of its injunctions
.

 

=========================================

 

This is clearly unacceptable for any student who demands the need for the
principle of intellectual freedom to be up help without fear or favour.

 

Any concept, interpretation or observation whether that be of a historical
nature or a philosophical nature can and should be challenged, if when it is
put in the balance it is found to be wanting.

 

Now as far as I can see the culture of the society has become one of
perceiving controversial points of view as being 'disharmonious' and of
maintaining some kind of status quo through what can be said from my
perspective as a somewhat narrow and to me shallow understanding of harmony
and peace.

 

===========================================

 

DTB The "officers" and the "council" of the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY cannot
legislate on this. As you perceive it has to be done individually.

 

The Organization of the T S has to be made to revert to its ORIGINAL
PROGRAM. Hands off.

 

The control of funds and property has laid the T S open to the present
situation. Impartiality and higher ethics have not be employed at all time
and in all cases. It is better to be "poor and honest."

 

=================================================

 

As Bart very well pointed out in his article in 'theosophy world' recently
sometimes conflict is the only way to try and address an injustice or
protect something or someone that is being abused in some way shape or form.

 

http://www.theos-world.com/archives/

 

Its very easy to make speeches about being `nice' to everybody but in the
end what does that mean, really.

If an injustice or a falsehood is left unchallenged is this being `nice' to
leave it unchallenged or spoken about?

 

As one example in my own personal case after considerable study and inner
reflection I have come to an honest and verifiable belief C.W Leadbeater
lied about his date of birth, which therefore calls into question many
statements and claims he (made ?).

 

=====================================

 

DTB That is why HPB said no one ought to be taken as an "authority." 

 

======================================

 

Now what is someone like myself to do as a member (hypothetically) when it
comes to voicing my opinion if and when asked?

 

If I give a talk and voice some area of controversy would that be considered
being 'disharmonious' and so as a result if I choose not to mention these
points am I then perpetuating a culture of silence and denial?

 

Was this the kind of culture the founders had in mind for the society?

 

==========================================================

 

DTB Those who have already done so bear the consequences - usually
excommunication!  

 

But who wants to remain in such a situation ? Does it benefit
anyone ?

 

There are many independent STUDENTS OF THEOSOPHY in the world and all are
willing to help anyone else who seeks and asks. Internet is of vast help in
this.

 

The T S is not the chosen or the only vehicle for studying and practicing
THEOSOPHY.  

 

An Individual's relation to the Masters is forever a matter of the "HEART,"
[ of BUDDHI-MANAS to ATMA-BUDDHI], and these are INTERIOR to all of us.  

 

"Look inward, thou art Buddha." 

 

"Theosophist is who THEOSOPHY does."  

 

Each has to learn to support themselves on the razor's edge of virtue.  

 

Virtue is karma in action. We choose to do that, or to act as hypocrites. 

 

And we alone know the truth of the matter.

 

=================================================

 

The key area of import as I see it is as fellow students, each with
different interpretations understandings and opinions, we need to be able to
hear and examine criticisms of our points of view and then be able to
respond or defend our perspective as honestly as we can if we find the
critique to be unfounded or unreasonable, while

keeping within due bounds of decency and decorum.

 

True decorum may mean calling things to order in the sense of not allowing
injustice and abuse of power to go by unchallenged.

 

The challenger can sometimes be seen as the villain or the villain as the
hero this can be very subjective but in the end until both sides are
properly aired with both points of view given the opportunity and means to
be heard, how can true fairness and freedom really be claimed to be being
adhered to. I maybe expressing an ideal here but then theosophy is all about
exploring ideals and whether they have any veracity.

 

Cheers

 

Perry

 

=============================

 

DTB Agreed.

 

Best wishes always,

 

D

 

============================

 

 

Dallas