Theos-Talk Archives (December 2005 Message tt00123)

Quoted from:
http://www.theos-world.com/archives/txt/tw200110.txt

THE HARM OF SWEEPING GENERALIZATIONS

By Philip Harris

As a rule, I find little to cavil about in THEOSOPHY WORLD.
However, I am moved to comment on Dr. Tillett's contribution
about "Received Truth." At times, I notice Dr. Tillett making
sweeping statements. I wonder at the logic behind them!

I can reasonably claim to be a member in good standing of the
Adyar Theosophical Society since I am an honorary life member of
the Australian Section and of the Perth Lodge. In addition, I am
emeritus National Lecturer for the Theosophical Society. I have
lectured for the Society in many countries.

It is a regrettable and very incorrect statement by Dr. Tillett
when he writes that all the works of Charles Leadbeater are
"received truth" in the Adyar Theosophical Society. For
instance, so outraged by Leadbeater were many members of the
Theosophical Society in the Australian Section that about half
left the Society.

I recently wrote an article in which I discussed the problem of
C.W. Leadbeater's "flights of fancy," pointing out that his
statements about the inhabitants of Mars and Mercury were utter
nonsense. I went on to say that we ought not to discard all his
writings because of that. His book on THE CHAKRAS is a classic
and the book by Besant and him on thoughtforms has been an
inspiration to a generation of artists.

Apart from the book mentioned, there are three others by Besant
that have stood the test of time and are considered by
unprejudiced reviewers to be a valuable contribution to the
literature of theosophy. They are THOUGHT POWER, A STUDY IN
CONSCIOUSNESS, and THE ANCIENT WISDOM.

Whether one is a member of the Adyar Theosophical Society, the
Pasadena Theosophical Society, or the United Lodge of
Theosophists, it is surely reasonable to expect that all parties
bring a measure of even-handedness to such a subject. To
maintain the stance that there is nothing of merit in
theosophical writings since the founders is much the same as
saying that there has been no valid science since Newton!

Theosophy is a dynamic philosophy and our understanding of the
Ancient Wisdom will metamorphose from generation to generation.

Is it not reasonable to expect the members of the Theosophical
Movement to bring a measure of common sense to bear on the
subject of Adyar statements and literature? There is a manifesto
printed at the front of every issue of the magazine THE
THEOSOPHIST, which emphasizes the total freedom of thought
extended to all members. In fact, the Adyar Theosophical Society
is placing diminishing emphasis on the works of both Besant and
Leadbeater these days. But the baby has not been thrown out with
the bathwater! The search for truth goes on.