theos-talk.com

[MASTER INDEX] [DATE INDEX] [THREAD INDEX] [SUBJECT INDEX] [AUTHOR INDEX]

[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next]

Crosbie, Besant Just Distractions

Apr 28, 2006 01:20 PM
by Robert Bruce MacDonald


This concern over the Esoteric Instructions is simply a distraction. Trying to judge either Crosbie or Caldwell over this matter is pointless. Again, who really knows why Crosbie did what he did? Perhaps there was a private message to ES members or to him alone telling them or him that on the authority of the Masters this material could be used at the members discretion. Perhaps many things might have been the case. Given that we can never know everything that went on, all we are left with is the abstract question: Do you think, given what we know, that Crosbie was correct in sharing the Esoteric Instructions with others? The answer really tells us nothing about Crosbie, only what we think would be right were we in a situation such as WE UNDERSTOOD HIM TO BE IN, whether he was actually in that situation or not. What we can say is that members of the ULT have treated the material respectfully over the century and do not seem to have abused the trust that Crosbie placed in them. Now the material is pretty much in the public domain and perhaps that is as it should be.

The most important element in the ES was not the instructions they received, it was the oath and how the members upheld that oath -- how they defended one another and how they defended and promoted the Theosophical Society. If indeed Crosbie broke his oath by sharing the Instructions, and that was the only time he broke his oath, then I bow down to him with respect. As Caldwell has made no oaths to anyone, so far as I know, what he does with the material is his own business. If ULT members have made oaths where they feel obligated to protest against Caldwell's use of the Instructions, then that is what they should do.

Really, all this wrangling has been and has always been about HPB and Judge. People are not upset at Crosbie because he may have broken his oath, they are upset with him because he stands for something. He stands up for Judge and HPB against those who would repeat the old unproven allegations. People are upset with Besant because she stands for the "so-called" freedom to repeat such allegations. They have become symbols, and people should realize what they are symbols for. Getting caught up in Crosbie's or Besant's short-comings is just something that keeps theosophists busy so that they don't rediscover the real injustice, the slandering of the Society's founders.

Bruce

_________________________________________________________________
Powerful Parental Controls Let your child discover the best the Internet has to offer. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines Start enjoying all the benefits of MSNŽ Premium right now and get the first two months FREE*.




[Back to Top]


Theosophy World: Dedicated to the Theosophical Philosophy and its Practical Application