Theos-Talk Archives (December 2005 Message tt00272)

Hallo Leon and all,

Perhaps...perhaps.

But where is the Dutch theosophist, J.J. van der Leeuw wrong when
in 1930 he was saying:

"If there is to be any future for the Theosophical Society, it will have to 
renounce utterly its claim of having solved the riddles of life and being a 
repository of truth; instead it will have to unite those who search for 
truth and for reality whatever these may bring by way of suffering and 
discomfort. The seeker after truth welcomes disturbance and doubt, the very 
things which were and are feared most by theosophists.
In yet another respect does the Theosophical Society breathe the atmosphere 
of last century. It is in the desire to unite in one brotherhood all who 
think or feel alike. Thus the Theosophical Society aimed at forming a 
nucleus of brotherhood. Such a nucleus however always defeats its own ends. 
It cannot escape becoming a brotherhood with the exclusion of less desirable 
brethren. The moment we unite a number of people in such a nucleus we have 
created a sect, a separate group walled off from the rest of the world and 
thereby from life."



Especially the last sentemces are very important, and shows me, that one 
should not read the Mahatma Letters that litterally
(following the dead-letter key).

And again:
So very important: The use of ideas is to shape a man or woman, not to
support a
system - which is viewed in a limited manner. This is one way in which the
Wisdom Tradition is 'living', and not just the perpetuations of ideas and
movements. This seems important to understand and know about.


So when we remember this just like the Masters remember it,
we will know, what a sect is when we see one.
:-)



from
M. Sufilight



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <leonmaurer@aol.com>
To: <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 6:38 AM
Subject: Re: Theos-World Re: Don't Forget HPB & her writing, or consider 
Besant as founder & move on


> In a message dated 12/22/05 6:49:24 AM, AnandGholap@AnandGholap.org 
> writes:
>
>
> > Your opinion that G.S. Arundale made everything Theosophy, is
> > interesting. Maybe other members would like to comment on whether
> > this is correct or not. Few books which are written by Arundale and
> > printed by TPH are on Theosophy. However I think President is
> > allowed to adopt certain strategies temporarily depending upon
> > situation. As you know any, organization and government has
> > continuously changing plans to be successful in continously changing
> > environment. If he found that plan as suitable tempararily, it is
> > OK. But in the long run TS should focus on publishing writing done
> > by occultists like AB, CWL, Hodson, Clara Codd, Arundale himself and
> > Taimni. Also TS should direct it's members to study these books. TS
> > should not say everything is Theosophy and so members should study
> > everything. This is practically wrong. After suggesting these books,
> > they should give freedom to members to accpet or reject. Also
> > members should be told that TS has unique literature written by
> > occultists. All sciences, philosophies and religions and also
> > knowledge given by these occultists constitute Theosophy. But as
> > other organizations are already providing other literature, TS is
> > providing and promoting study of writing done by it's occultists. So
> > TS literature is part of total knowledge available to mankind. And
> > as other organizations are providing knowledge on other subjects, TS
> > should concentrate on providing and promoting study of writing done
> > by occultists in TS. So all knowledge available to mankind is
> > Theosophy. But work of TS is to make available and promote study of
> > writing done by it's occultists. So definition of Theosophy is one
> > thing and what TS should practically is different issue. Definition
> > of Theosophy and what TS should do practically are two different
> > things.
> > Actions of TS are to be guided not by just definition of Theosophy
> > but also by taking into account other factors mentioned above.
> How about considering that the actions of the TS should be guided solely 
> by
> its own original guiding objectives... Namely, the "Three Objects of the
> Theosophical Movement" set down by HPB when she, William Q. Judge and 
> Henry Olcott
> originally founded the Theosophical Society in America in 1875. Those
> objects are:
>
> 1. "To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of humanity, without
> distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color."
>
> 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."
>
> Accordingly, for individual students, I think that, even though there was 
> no
> limit placed on the literature to be studied, it makes the most sense to 
> first
> study the books, articles and letters written in support of these objects 
> by
> the three founders and the Masters who informed and guided them (as well 
> as
> dictated the bulk of the Secret Doctrine), along with the writings of 
> those
> relevant ancient and modern books and scriptures pointed out and quoted by 
> them.
>
> After that, each student -- guided by the three objects, and based on the
> three fundamental principles outlined in the Proem of the Secret 
> Doctrine -- must
> choose his/her own path of study empowered by their own individual, self
> induced and self determined efforts. Only thus, can one gain a true 
> picture of
> theosophy from the ground up, and through an awakened discernment, make 
> educated
> comparisons and judgments so as to separate the wheat from the chaff.
>
> Accordingly, the TS itself, should, as an organization, have no control 
> over
> how student members go about their studies, other than supplying them 
> access
> to any and all available literature, facilities, school rooms, meeting 
> halls,
> teachers, etc. -- that will enable them to acquire an enlightened 
> understanding
> of theosophical metaphysics at its deepest and most occult levels, as well 
> as
> demonstrate, as a group, a true brotherhood in action.
>
> Let's hope that the modern remnants of the original TS can live up to 
> those
> primary aims, purposes and ends in view as set down by the initial 
> founders.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Leon Maurer
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
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