Theos-Talk Archives (March 2006 Message tt01004)

Hi Vince,
My experience has been that generally most fundamentalists take the bible to be either 
literal historical fact or prophecy of future events.
Therefore the Garden of Eden and the `Tree of the Knowledge of Good and evil' are taken 
very much as literal places and events,eg. Adam and Eve eating the fruit from the tree of 
Knowledge and then casting them both out of the Garden and blocking them from access 
to the `Tree of life'etc.

The so called secret or hidden meaning is more seeing these events and people as 
symbols or metaphors for deep or hidden spiritual truths.
As Jesus is claimed to have said `let he who has ears hear and he who has eyes see' that 
seems to suggest that certain truths are not immediately apparent on the surface, or by 
reading things from the `dead letter'.

In the `Bowen notes HPB is quoted as saying in part "The Secret Doctrine is only quite a 
small fragment of Esoteric Doctrine known to the higher members of the Occult 
Brotherhoods."
http://www.theosophical.ca/SecDoctrineStudy.htm

In the `Theosophical Glossary' HPB describes the Secret Doctrine as :
"The general name given to the esoteric teachings of antiquity"

My understanding is that they are secret because they can only be known or realized 
through our own inner process and cant be transmitted or received vicariously through 
any external means.

Perry


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Vincent Blazina <vblaz2004@...> wrote:
>
> Perry:
>    
>   Thanks for the welcome.  The Jehovah's Witnesses that you refer also seem to have 
some narrow biblical interpretations, much like Christian fundamentalists.  I'm curious 
about what some of the similarities and differences are between the Bible and the Secret 
Doctrine.  Why is the Secret Doctrine considered to be secret?  Does this simply mean that 
it is occult (meaning hidden) in nature?  My own biblical interpretations go very deep for 
me, and are anything but dry, although I view Christian fundamentalists as often shallow 
in their own biblical interpretations much of the time.
>    
>   Vince
> 
> plcoles1 <plcoles1@...> wrote:
>   Hello Vince, 
> Welcome to theos-talk!
> My background was in the Jehovah's Witnesses and so as a result had what amounted to 
at 
> least 5 1/2 hours a week of meetings to attend, and NO questioning what you were 
being 
> told.
> 
> The thing I've found with studying theosophy for someone who has studied the Bible is 
> that theosophy and in particular the Secret Doctrine opens up many interesting and 
> profound interpretations of passages in the Bible.
> 
> An interesting article written by H.P Blavatsky is `The Esoteric character of the Gospels'
> http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-sio/sio-eso2.htm
> It's a good place to start as the Secret Doctrine can be a little bit daunting to begin with.
> 
> After only hearing what was to me very empty and dry interpretations of the Bible, 
> theosophy can help you to begin to get some kind of understanding as to the deeper 
> meaning in the bible as well as what other great thinkers, sages and philosophers from 
> various traditions have taught on these subjects which may help you have some context 
> and reference point for your own experiences.
> Very Best Wishes on your Spiritual journey and once again Welcome to the theos-talk!
> 
> Regards
> 
> Perry
> 
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "vblaz20042004" wrote:
> >
> > Hi there, I'm Vince and I am new to the group. I have recently been 
> > attending the Theosophical Society of Wheaton, Illinois for the past 
> > month, and have been enjoying the various teachings and discussions 
> > at that facility.
> > 
> > My life has been rich with metaphysical experiences, but the 
> > Christian Fundamentalist churches that I had previously attended for 
> > twenty years got very judgmental towards me when I might venture to 
> > reference them. I also began finding many inconsistencies with the 
> > way that many Christians were representing the Bible, and my 
> > questions about Christianity were often deemed dangerous to people's 
> > religious faith.
> > 
> > I am looking for a place in the Theosophical Society wherein I may 
> > potentially freely discuss metaphysical issues as they directly 
> > pertain to my life, with people who are more open to such 
> > discussions. I am very well read with the Bible, although my 
> > interpretations of it are more metaphysical versus orthodox.
> > 
> > I look forward to constuctive discussion with the people here, and 
> > would like to learn more about the Theosophical Society and it's 
> > perspectives, insofar as many of them are brand new to me.
> > 
> > Thank you,
> > 
> > Vince
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>