Theos-Talk Archives (March 2006 Message tt01043)

Steve, Sufilight, and all,

I think the letter and your attendant comments point to what should be
the heart of the movement.  It is an understanding of the heart of
this letter that theosophists need to address.  Brotherhood is a
two-way connection.  I think Carlos mentioned in one of his posts
somewhere that computers are isolating.  Consequently when I read many
of the posts on this site, as on any site, I am struck by what I call
"automatic responses" that seem to indicate very little thought.  Very
often people's positions are misrepresented and people end up
resorting to sniping in order to "score points", or so it would seem.
 I think both Jerry and Krsanna allude to this to some extent.

It seems that this is where the golden rule should come in.  When we
read someone's post, we should be open and attentive to context and
nuance. When posting you are using a few words to convey, oftentimes,
complex positions.  Some of those who post are not posting in their
first language.  If we assume people to be honest and open then making
an effort to understand what they are saying seems to be the least
that we can do.  What is the use of proclaiming to have a movement in
which people bring differing views to the discussion if we insist on
understanding everything according to our own narrow viewpoint?  Does
not brotherhood mean trying to understand what the other has to say? 
If we are going to categorize the contents of another's posts
according to what "political" motive we think that he or she may have
then how are we going to move forward?  We are dismissing the other
person and what he or she has to say because they are "this" or
"that".  Once we know what "this" or "that" they are then we can
"respond automatically" without much thought.

This is what goes on in the world today and passes for "News",
"Politics", "Religion", etc.  We are nothing more than a microcosm for
what is happening out there in the greater Society.  Despite any
pretensions we may have of self-importance because we are studying the
"Occult", our practices betray who we really are.  We can be easily
set against one another in the same way that Jews, Christians,
Moslems, Hindus, etc. are set against each other by unscrupulous men
seeking advantage over all.  While we fight our silly battles over
what ideology or understanding of some obscure metaphysical point is
correct, the world is being stolen out from underneath us.  If we
can't learn to be open and honest with one another, then how can the
world learn?  If we cannot trust one another, then how can Moslem
learn to trust Jew and vice versa?  Morality comes before the
understanding of Occult concepts.  This is an occult law.

It is this point that the Blavatsky - Olcott debate revolves around. 
How do we trust one another?  How do we fight the inevitable doubt
that rises in our mind against those who think differently?  That is
why I say to those who think that looking back into our history is
only going to cause dissension, that they are mistaken.  The ignorance
that caused the split is the same ignorance that now keeps us apart. 
It is not different.  It is current.

If people were really willing to listen to one another, the
conversation on this site could go so much deeper than the superficial
mud slinging that now passes for debate.  As I read the posts I see
ideas bouncing off impenetrable exteriors and nonsense delivered in
return.  If this group really wants to understand theosophy, they are
going to have to let down their barriers.

Sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings,
Bruce




--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Steven Levey <sallev1@...> wrote:
>
> Sufiflight
>    
>        Thank you for presenting this letter. I think it goes a long
way in explaining the true motive behind the Theosophical work, as
well as the important issue of simply applying what makes good sense
to us, in the service of others. Not to mention the hugely imortant
issue of putting the minds of students upon the work, rather than this
overly large concern for who said what to whom and from what Master
did this or that come from. As Judge said "We should immediately put
our best intensions to work". And if those "best intentions" were
prompted by sayings or a philosophy we have ascribed to 
> the Mahatmas, the more important thing will always be, to do it and
let results be with the karma.
>    
>   Steve
> "M. Sufilight" <global-theosophy@...> wrote:
>   Hallo all,
> 
> My views are:
> 
> Let the following excerpt from a letter if possible help the Seekers.
> 
> "On the other hand we claim to know more of the secret cause of
events than you men of the world do. I say then that it is the
vilification and abuse of the founders, the general misconception of
the aims and objects of the Society that paralyses its progress --
nothing else. There's no want of definitiveness in these objects were
they but properly explained. The members would have plenty to do were
they to pursue reality with half the fervour they do mirage. I am
sorry to find you comparing Theosophy to a painted house on the stage
whereas in the hands of true philanthropists and theosophists it might
become as strong as an impregnable fort. The situation is this: men
who join the Society with the one selfish object of reaching power
making occult science their only or even chief aim may as well not
join it -- they are doomed to disappointment as much as those who
commit the mistake of letting them believe that the Society is nothing
else. It is just because they preach too much
>  "the Brothers" and too little if at all Brotherhood that they fail.
How many times had we to repeat, that he who joins the Society with
the sole object of coming in contact with us and if not of acquiring
at least of assuring himself of the reality of such powers and of our
objective existence -- was pursuing a mirage? I say again then. It is
he alone who has the love of humanity at heart, who is capable of
grasping thoroughly the idea of a regenerating practical Brotherhood
who is entitled to the possession of our secrets. He alone, such a man
-- will never misuse his powers, as there will be no fear that he
should turn them to selfish ends. A man who places not the good of
mankind above his own good is not worthy of becoming our chela -- he
is not worthy of becoming higher in knowledge than his neighbour. If
he craves for phenomena let him be satisfied with the pranks of
spiritualism."
> http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/mahatma/ml-38.htm (Received
Allahabad. About February, 1882. )
> 
> 
> Perhaps the objects of the Society or any branch of it needs to be
changed or explained better?
> 
> 
> 
> from
> M. Sufilight with peace and love...
> 
> 
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> 
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