Theos-Talk Archives (March 2006 Message tt01049)

Dear Vincent,

> I'm just trying to understand what I can about Theosophy, insofar as 
> it is new to me.  HPB's writings are so extensive in such large 
> volumes that I'm honestly a little bit daunted as to where to begin, 
> so I'm likely going to be relying on secondary abridgments for 
> awhile. 
I would be careful of abridgment if I were you.  Some of them are not 
very well done.  For a first book by Blavatsky, I would recommend "The 
Key to Theosophy" in its unabridged version.  It is a great overview of 
her teachings.  For new people, we always start with that book in our 
study groups.

Best
Jerry





Vincent wrote:

> Steve-
>
> I'm just trying to understand what I can about Theosophy, insofar as 
> it is new to me.  HPB's writings are so extensive in such large 
> volumes that I'm honestly a little bit daunted as to where to begin, 
> so I'm likely going to be relying on secondary abridgments for 
> awhile.  In other words, someone's probably going to have to teach 
> it to me in the form of abridged quotes, before I get into extensive 
> reading of the core volumes.
>
> Christians claim that the Bible contains 'absolute truth', both 
> inerrant and infallible.  But this then leaves those portions of 
> universal truth concerning which we lack a firm and total grasp.  
> Namely 'occult' truth, or anything which has not been declared to 
> be 'absolute truth' by the Christian community.  Hence universal 
> truth may potentially be subdivided into categories of 'absolute 
> truth' and 'occult truth'.  Of course, I don't believe that any of 
> us really has a firm grasp on 'absolute truth' in the first place, 
> insofar as our minds are mortal, and we commonly have errors 
> somewhere in every belief that we hold, whether small or great.  
> Hence so many different biblical interpretations among Christians.
>
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Steven Levey <sallev1@...> wrote:
>  
> > Vince-
> >   
> >      Your intution about the reason for the term "Secret" in The 
> >    
> Secret Doctrine is somewhat correct, but, it is also a bit to quick 
> a judgement. I'm afraid you are going to have to study the thing, to 
> get a really good idea about the use of her terms. However, in doing 
> so, I found it wise to read HPB in a thorough way to begin to 
> undestand her motivation. By this I mean, read The Key to Theosophy, 
> and study The Voice of the Silence, as well, or something like that. 
> Or, pick up one of her collected writtings of shorter articles, or 
> the Panarion. Mostly all of these are available at the Public 
> Library, but definately on-line or in Theosophy Lodges of different 
> types.
>  
> >   
> >  Good Searching-Steve
> >
> > 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 
> > 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]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > 		
> > ---------------------------------
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> >    
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