Theos-Talk Archives (July 2006 Message tt00341)

Re: Gratitude as a venial sin

Bill says it doesn't much matter
if Theosophy and HPB existed or not,
and gratitude is not so important, the
"ancient wisdom" exists irregardless.

Hello Jake,

 As I see it, theosophy is timeless.  The 19th century theosophical 
work  by HPB and others was a timeful event.  It was a significant 
theosophical event in the world of time, whose authors I have both 
respect and gratitude for.  Many self-identified theosophists appear 
book-bound and time-stuck to me.  My inner sense of theosophy sees it as 
the illuminating awareness gained through direct experience of the 
higher self, expressed outwardly as "right action" motivated by the 
direct experience of divine wisdom.  Today's right actions are creating 
significant 21st century theosophical events.  We may miss the 
opportunity to add our energy to these unfolding events if we are too 
deeply attached to the events of the 19th century.  This is how I see 
it.    In your own words, what would be your definition of theosophy and 
how do you see it in manifestation today?  
Well, the thing is, one cannot find
inner values, or his content-less "ancient
wisdom" of mysticism, unless he has
concepts for what is involved beforehand.
If one was born in a mud-hut in miedeval
Europe, the best "ancient wisdom" one
would be likely to find, is some variety
of discovering "jesus in his heart", or
the catholic equivalent. You need the
concepts as well as the inner sense. If
you don't get them from HPB, you'd better
hope there is some other genuine advanced
religious system around.

This is one perspective. Others are available.  To expand upon this  
perspective, one might try to meditate upon a point beyond the origins 
of the first "concepts" which came "beforehand."  This meditation may 
reveal the "genuine" nature of the "inner sense" and its  relationship 
with outer concepts.



<Gratitude is not what compels us from
<within the SELF. Compassion is.>

My bet is a lack of gratitude results
next time around loosing whatever one
doesn't have gratitude for.

You may be right.  This could explain some people's apparent lack of  
experience with the "inner sense" of theosophy  this time around here in 
century 21.


peace on earth,


bill