Theos-Talk Archives (March 2006 Message tt00537)

There has been much discussion the past few days over the Movements
history.  Some people feel that what is past is past, let's find
inspiration in whatever writings we choose to follow and carry on from
there.  It has been asked why we cannot apply the same standards of
Universal Brotherhood that are applied to HPB and Judge to certain
theosophical members in our midst today?

Again, let's try to reframe the debate and see whether that gives us
any further insight.  Carlos in his post "WAR, PEACE AND THEOSOPHY"
has made a brilliant start along this path giving us the hints that we
need to understand why we cannot continue on our present course.

Currently we have a number of theosophical traditions.  One way to
achieve peace is to allow all these traditions to exist under the
theosophical banner and prohibit these traditions from challenging one
another.  In this scenario these traditions would develop on their own
in their own directions and in a few centuries we could no doubt say
that the Theosophical Society has become the cornerstone of our future
religions.  The fact that these religions will be mired in as much
illusion as the religions of today will have to be expected.  Without
constant challenge there can be no truth.  It is because of this that
theosophists need courage, learn to think for themselves, and learn to
challenge what they perceive to be false and promote what they
understand to be true.

The above scenario, or a modified version where we stay away from the
really contentious issues seems to be what some members of this group
feel theosophy should be.  Regrettably, the path still leads to
illusion whether modified or not.  The contentious issues are those
where the real ignorance lies.

Another way to achieve peace would be to abandon theosophy. 
Certainly that would solve our problems but is hardly a meritorious
choice.

The third way is to keep searching for the truth and putting up with
all the sniping and hurt feelings that go along with that enterprise.
 As Spiritual Warriors, we are not likely to make the conquest of
Truth unscathed.  This is the Kali Yuga, the secret now is to have
courage and continue moving forward.  It is during this age where the
most spiritual progress can be made. The forces against us are legion,
pulling from us every dark seed planted in previous lives.  From the
perspective of our Higher Selves, it is a time to rejoice.

As far as the Movement is concerned, something divided it and we must
understand what that something is.  If I were to point to one thing it
would be what Judge describes in the June 1895 issue of "The Path". 
Judge writes:

"In the April Theosophist Col. Olcott makes public what we have long
known to be his private opinion—a private opinion hinted at through
the pages of Old Diary Leaves,—that H.P.B. was a fraud, a medium, and
a forger of bogus messages from the Masters.  This final ingrate's
blow is delivered in a Postscript to the magazine for which the
presses were stopped.  The hurry was so great that he could not wait
another month before hurling the last handful of mud at his spiritual
and material benefactor, our departed H.P.B.  The next prominent
person for whom we wait to make a similar public statement, has long
made it privately."

For Judge, who had personally endured animosity and attacks from
Olcott and "the next prominent person", Besant, this was the final
blow.  The ingratitude that such an attack displays was aimed directly
at the spirit of the Society, Universal Brotherhood.  The Masters had
said over and over again that they do not count ingratitude as one of
their vices.  Olcott had come full circle.  The lack of courage he
displayed on the streets of New York in 1875 (see Carlos' post:THE
TEACHERS AND THE LIARS, post 30693 ) finally found its full flowering
in the pages of the Theosophist.

The Masters said that Blavatsky and Olcott were totally responsible
for the Karma of the Society. Perhaps one way to look at the Society
is that a lesson was being prepared for Humanity.  Good and honest
people had to learn how to stand by one another.  Olcott's betrayal
was necessary as it would prompt good people to ask the question: "How
can there be so much violent disagreement within a Society dedicated
to Universal Brotherhood?"  As they sorted through all the symptoms
of the betrayal, the LCC, Leadbeater, etc., they would finally be left
with one cause, the betrayal of Blavatsky by Olcott.  Ever since that
betrayal, theosophists have repeated that error again and again
pulling the Movement further and further apart.  It is a lesson that
must be learned if there is to be any future to the current impulse
initiated in 1875.

Olcott made a mistake.  Many theosophists followed him in that
mistake.  The mistake was to be expected.  The Masters were trying to
inspire humanity to lift itself to a more ethical treatment of one
another.  The only place where such an ethical understanding exists
right now is within the ranks of the White Brotherhood.  Once we start
practicing this type of ethics, we will be on a Path to Truth.  We
will have the tools to avoid the superstition and bestiality described
by Carlos in WAR, PEACE AND THEOSOPHY.

If this is not the mistake that we should be searching for, then what
is it?

Sincerely,
Bruce