Theos-Talk Archives (July 2006 Message tt00629)

7/30/2006 5:30 AM

		RE: Tantra & Theosophy  to be discussed at Virtual Lodge


Dear Laura and Friends:

Please read the notes added to my text (and opinions as explanations) below

Dallas
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-----Original Message-----
From: John Gray 
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 4:33 PM
To: W.Dallas TenBroeck
Subject: RE: Tantra & Theosophy Virtual Lodge


Dear Dallas:

Thank you for responding to such emails as these.   ….
 
We are continuing to work here in London, Ontario. It is slow but steady as
we continue to meet many obstacles.

------------------------------------


DTB	WHY NOT CALL THEM  “OPPORTUNITIES ?”

---------------------------------------


 L G
There is a gentleman from out of town who has been sending us donations
regularly.  He has been mentally ill for some time … He has been very
devoted in his contributions, but continues with a mind that is "like a mad
elephant in a forest."…  We can see with such diversions as what you are
responding to, that the study of Occultism, without a thorough knowledge of
the THREE FUNDAMENTALS AND THE PROEM can be very dangerous.

------------------------------------------------------------


DTB	AND ADD:  	


1	THE 7 PRINCIPLES IN MAN AND NATURE  [S D  I  157-8;  S D  II  596]
			
2	NATURE IS THE UNIVERSE AND ALL ARE A PART AND INSEPARATE FROM IT.

3	EVERY MONAD [“life-atom’ wherever or however located] IS AS OLD AS
EVERY ONE ELSE. 

4	HENCE: 	Universal Brotherhood IS A FACT.

5	POTENTIAL AND POWERS OF EACH Monad ARE IDENTICAL AS IDEALS.  

6	BUT THEY MANIFEST DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF THE FREE CHOICES MADE BY
EACH IN THEIR OWN  PAST.

7	THE UNIVERSE [ The WHOLE,  DEITY, The ABSOLUTE ]  IS PLANNED
ACCORDING TO ITS PAST KARMA. THIS IS UNIVERSAL 	KARMA.  

8	IT IS THE THIRD [MANASIC] BASIC [in the PRIMORDIAL METAPHYSICAL
TRIANGLE] WHICH FORMS THE ETERNAL “LINK” (through the “DANGMA” --  THE
PRIMEVAL DHYANIS, AVATARS, and BUDDHAS.  That  “link” unites the
INDESCRIBABLE ABSOLUTENESS  -- ATMAN  -  or the UTTAM PURUSHA (Supreme
Spirit)   -  MAHA-VISHNU (Krishna)

 to:  

every aspect of “matter” down to the “original,” ultimate, primeval PRAKRITI
– eternally intertwined with PURUSHA  --  [ATMA-BUDDHI] 

9	Yet there is the ABSOLUTENESS [in thought, beyond even THAT  --  the
true CAUSELESS CAUSE.   IT IS THE CAUSELESS CAUSE.  It is  “jiva” --
“universal, impartite LIFE.” 

10	IT is the UNIVERSAL and ORIGINAL PLAN   –  [see S D   I  27]  IT IS
AS A WHOLE  the UNIVERSAL MONAD and is IMPERISHABLE and ineffaceably
imprinted for ever on the universal pages of the AKASA.

11	The Hosts and Hierarchies of the Buddhas, Avatars, Mahatmas,
Bodhisattvas, “Saints,”  represent to us the successful graduates from this
ocean of living tests.


THIS INCLUDES THE INDIVIDUAL KARMA OF EVERY “LIFE-ATOM.” 

NO “HIDING PLACES.”  NO EXCUSES.  NO MAGIC WAND TO EXPUNGE OUR INATTENTION
AND CONSEQUENT ERRORS.  

“RIGID JUSTICE RULES THE WORLD.  WITH SWEEP OF NEVER-ENDING ACTION IT BRINGS
TO MORTALS ALL OUR LIVES OF WEAL OR WOE.”   Voice 

----------------------------------------------

 L G
What you write on Initiation, do you think it relates to what Mr. Judge
speaks of in the story "Skins of the Earth".  

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DTB	THAT STORY (it seems to me) RELATES TO ITS APPLICATION IN REGARD TO
OUR PHYSICAL EARTH.  As an analogy, it applies UNIVERSALLY -- since the
INDEFINABLE  “BEGINNING.”  The Monads, now undergoing their Pilgrimage in
the field of Earth experience, and encountering the elemental forces,
energies, forces, and their many forms and currents there, must out of
justice and fairness to all, interact with them impartially and
impersonally. Imprinted with that experience they naturally pass on to the
“vegetable” stage.  

Is this not why HPB wrote the SECRET DOCTRINE in this way to give us
explanations for the LAWS and the HISTORY so far passed ?

---------------------------------------------------

Best Wishes to you and Val and …..

Laura

============================================

DTB	SEE NEW NOTES ADDED ABOVE, BELOW AND HEREIN   DTB

============================================
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: W.Dallas TenBroeck 
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 9:52 AM
Subject: [theosophia] RE: Tantra & Theosophy Virtual Lodge


7/29/2006 6:31 AM

RE: Tantra & Theosophy Virtual Lodge

Friends:

Will this weeks study probably revolve around KAMA-MANAS and cover the
subject: Is LUST PERMISSIBLE AND EXCUSABLE ?

If this is to be discussed among students of THEOSOPHY I say IT IS
SHAMEFUL.
-----------------------------------------------
DTB	 THE LOWER-MIND IS TITILLATED BY PRURIENCE.  WHAT PERMANENT,
IMMORTAL RECORD WILL WE BE CARRYING OF THIS EXPERIENCE AND DALIENCE ?  HAS
IT ANY TRUE VALUE, OR HAVE WE WASTED TIME ON IT ?]
----------------------------------------------------

I ask plainly: Sexual promiscuity -- is this to be associated with our
mothers, wives, girl and boy children? Is this discussed in the average
home, not to mention Theosophical ones ?

Does the BUDDHI-MANAS have anything to do with this, or its vile symbology
that mocks the divine and PURE union of ATMA-BUDDHI ?

Let me quote again a portion from a just published story: 

A BEWITCHED LIFE
As Narrated by a Quill Pen By H. P. Blavatsky 

"One night I was abruptly awakened by a long and loud cry of distress. It
was a woman's voice, plaintive like that of a child, full of terror and of
helpless despair. I awoke with a start to find myself on land, in a strange
room. 

A young girl, almost a child, was desperately struggling against a powerful
middle-aged man, who had surprised her in her own room, and during her
sleep. Behind the closed and locked door, I saw listening an old woman,
whose face, notwithstanding the fiendish expression upon it, seemed familiar
to me, and I immediately recognized it: it was the face of the ***** who had
adopted my niece in the dream I had at Kioto. She had received gold to pay
for her share in the foul crime, and was now keeping her part of the
covenant . . . . But who was the victim? O horror unutterable! Unspeakable
horror! When I realized the situation after coming back to my normal state,
I found it was my own child-niece. 

But, as in my first vision, I felt in me nothing of the nature of that
despair born of affection that fills one's heart, at the sight of a wrong
done to, or a misfortune befalling, those one loves; nothing but a manly
indignation in the presence of suffering inflicted upon the weak and the
helpless. I rushed, of course, to her rescue, and seized the wanton, brutal
beast by the neck. I fastened upon him with powerful grasp, but, the man
heeded it not, he seemed not even to feel my hand. 

The coward, seeing himself resisted by the girl, lifted his powerful arm and
the thick fist, coming down like a heavy hammer upon the sunny locks, felled
the child to the ground. It was with a loud cry of the indignation of a
stranger, not with that of a tigress defending her cub, that I sprang upon
the lewd beast and sought to throttle him. I then remarked, for the first
time, that, a shadow myself, I was grasping but another shadow! . . . . 

My loud shrieks and imprecations had awakened the whole steamer. They were
attributed to a nightmare. I did not seek to take anyone into my confidence;
but, from that day forward, my life became a long series of mental tortures,
I could hardly shut my eyes without becoming witness of some horrible deed,
some scene of misery, death or crime, whether past, present or even future
-- as I ascertained later on. 

It was as though some mocking fiend had taken upon himself the task of
making me go through the vision of everything that was bestial, malignant
and hopeless, in this world of misery. No radiant vision of beauty or virtue
ever lit with the faintest ray these pictures of awe and wretchedness that I
seemed doomed to witness. 

Scenes of wickedness, of murder, of treachery and of lust fell dismally upon
my sight, and I was brought face to face with the vilest results of man's
passions, the most terrible outcome of his material earthly cravings. " 

	HPB

-------------------------------------

What do we know of “Tantra ?” Only the exoteric, gross and disgusting rind.
What lies underneath ? Has THEOSOPHY anything at all to do with this kind
of reality?

I think some hints will be found herein.

	UNIVERSAL MIND AND INITIATION


"The action of the entire universe is but a detailed manifestation and
example of the action of mind on matter, governed at the highest point by
the action of the universal Mind. Between the finite human mind of the
ordinary uninitiated individual and this universal mind lie an infinite
number of gradually ascending degrees, and the higher the plane of
consciousness the nearer is the approach to the universal mind which is, as
it were, the main-spring of the whole. Although there are no hard and fast
lines in nature yet these various grades may be marked off into great main
divisions; and it is the successive attainment of these, one after the
other that is represented by the degrees of initiation. When one plane of
existence has been exhausted, there is needed, as it were, a fresh impulse
to enable us to go on higher and this it is that is supplied at the time of
initiation." "Alpha" THEOSOPHIST, June 1886 - [ ULT- T A & N p. 61
]

[ COMMENT: Krishna is the ancient name given to that living and undying
Spirit (enveloped by matter) which supports and guides evolution, which
preserves the creative life-giving force that unites all beings. "He" lives
in the hearts of all, and therefore is closest to the true center of every
man. He resides in our own heart. He is not "outside," nor is He a remote
"Deity," that is abstract and to be worshiped in some man-made temple. He
is our very own Higher Self, the "Secret Self," which is for the Universe
its universal SELF, as it is more intimately, "the Self of all creatures."
 	[see S D  II 167]


	GAYATRI  A “GOLDEN (material) VASE”


The Sun of our system, whose glory it is impossible to "see," represents
Krishna. It is hidden by a "vase of golden light". Curiously, the meaning
of the Sanskrit name "Krishna" is: the "dark one," or, occultly: "he who
stands as interpreter of the brilliance of the 'Central Spiritual SUN,'
shielding 'creatures in their infancy' from its destructive light, while
preserving the living field in which all beings may evolve." He is Pushan,
who is holder of the "vase of golden light" which shields earthly man, us
from the "Sun" of the ONE SPIRIT until such time as we learn to become one
with Him and able to remove the "vase" without destroying ourselves (for in
that process we will have created an indestructible form for our use). This
is one of the interpretations of the Gayatri verse, used every morning by
the Brahmins to recall to memory the source and purpose of life.

Krishna and Vishnu (the force of preservation, of continuity--of
reincarnation and karma) are one, and in turn, Vishnu is an aspect of the
triple World of Energy called symbolically: Brahma-Vishnu-Siva, or the
conjoined and eternal powers of creation, preservation and regeneration,
[after a grand cycle of general dispersal (destruction) not annihilation, it
is the Eternal "Vishnu" who places the seed for the fresh evolutionary
"day," called "creation," in the womb of 
Brahma ]. 

When the cycle of living closes, he, as Siva dances into pralaya or "rest"
the energies and forces of all the beings involved in evolution (symbolized
by the "cremation ground") so that they may reappear when the Maha-Yogi
(great Initiator) regenerates them, dancing them back into the new "day" for
their resumption of karmic evolution; and a fresh Manvantara begins. So we
have an example of the depiction of rhythm, of time cycles and of on-going
purposiveness in living for all beings without any exceptions.

This is one of the explanations which the Tantras are seen to offer, in
their purest condition. But they have been degraded and materialized by the
ignorant who made themselves devotees of only the destructive, or rather the
dispersive forces operating in Nature. They fear this force, and seek to
propitiate it by making themselves, they fancy, into its physical agents --
a terrible error, as It does not need anyone to carry on its appointed work.
But the priests, who feed on the ignorance of the masses, teach inverted
truths. - Ed.

"We are held and described by some persons as no better than refined or
"cultured tantrikas?" Well, we ought to feel gratified for the prefixed
adjective, since it would have been as easy for our would-be biographers to
call us unrefined tantrikas. Moreover, the easy way with which you notify
us of the comparison made, makes me confident of the fact that you know
little if anything about the professors of that sect; otherwise you would
have hardly, as a gentleman, given room to such a simile in your letters.
One more word will suffice. The "tantrikas"--at least the modern sect, for
over 400 years--observe rites and ceremonies, the fitting description of
which will never be attempted by the pen of one of our Brotherhood."
1st Series, Letters From The Masters of Wisdom, p. 80

	TANTRAS

[HPB explains the secret Kabalistic teachings concerning the expiations and
final sacrifice of the Initiator when the last initiation of the candidate
occurs. "Decapitation," 3 streams of blood: to "personality that is," to
"Heaven" from which SPIRIT, and to Earth or Matter -- to purify it with the
sacred blood of self-sacrifice.

How the Tantrikas of the Chhinamasta sect have materialized this and made a
degraded rite of the symbolic sacrifice -- "a profound occult truth which is
known only to the initiated." THEOSOPHIST, Vol 4, p. 38fn.]

[ "T.S." contributes an article on the Tantras. An editorial (HPB ?)
footnote reads: "For reasons of their own...the Brahmos...regard all the
Tantras as the most abominable works on sorcery that inculcate immorality.
Some of the Tantric works and commentaries are certainly prohibited on
account of their dealing with necromancy (modern Spiritualism). But the
meaning in the real old Tantras remaining a dead letter to the uninitiated
Hindus, very few can appreciate their worth. Some of the "White" Tantras,
especially the one treated upon in the present article, contain extremely
important information for the Occultist.--Ed. ]

"There are 3 kinds of Tantras (see above). Ordinarily a Tantrica means a
Sakta...

The "Maha Nirvana Tantra" is the earliest...most important of all. 

All Tantric works are supposed to be the record of conversations held
between Shiva and his consort Parvati. The word "Shiva" literally signifies
"Peace," and Parvati..."Yoga"." 

[   DTB	 In the Tantras, 

PARABRAHM always is spoken of as the indescribable Absolute One; while
MAHADEVA (Shiva) and Parvati (Sakti) represent the "travelers" bound for
that goal; Shiva being the Purusha (Spirit and Man-male) and Parvati being
the Prakriti (Woman-female or Universal Nature). 
SHIVA is not only the “destroyer,” but logically, HE represents that
continued FORCE [deathless, ever-acting KARMA] that causes the REGENERATION
and REASSEMBLY – through BRAHMA --  of the “unsettled business” of every
MONAD – each of those being the ever-living components of all the UNIVERSE –
LIFE (JIVA).  KARMA  (individually and collective) works forever in and with
UNIVERSAL Monad, and every thinking, feeling, individual  MONAD.  (You and
me at the basis of our unit-being.)  
Yoga-Maya, is the illusion, that which connects Spirit with matter. 
------------------------------------------------------------
DTB		Our brain-mind KAMA-MANAS IS “ENVELOPED” IN THIS – IT IS
MADE OUR OWN PAST SKANDHAS.
---------------------------------------------------

The rest of the article describes the condition of polarity (male-female) in
a uniform field where individual evolutionary progress depends on
self-effort, cooperation, tolerance and compassion.] 

"The Tantric works deal...in addition...with what is called "Mantra Yoga." [
Divided into 6 branches.] ...With the exception of the last, the first 5 are
what is known as black magic, and...are prohibited [by Manu]...being classed
with "capital sins." [ Follows a description of the several degrees of
devotees and their austerities, studies and permitted food and drink -- no
alcohol or spirits. ] THEOSOPHIST Vol. 4, p. 226

[Description of the Siddha Tantras is given here. Intellect and will powers
considered active in the 14 Lokas of existence in the Universe. Power of
imagination considered.]
THEOSOPHIST SUPPLEMENT, Oct. 1883, p. 14.

[Description of the Tibetan Tantras -- called "Buddhist" -- Rise of the
Dugpa sect in Sikkhim and Bhutan, even their original texts, rites and works
have further degenerated. The purest approach to Vedanta. Still further
degradation by ritualism and selfish goals has attracted the sellers of
spirits, etc... Altogether objectionable and abominable.] 
"T.S." THEOSOPHIST Vol. 5, p. 96-7.

[ END of quotes from THEOSOPHIST. ]

===============================================================

	I N I T I A T I O N

"To crucify before (not against) the sun" is a phrase used of initiation.
It comes from Egypt, and primarily from India. The enigma can be unriddled
only by searching for its key in the Mysteries of Initiation. The initiated
adept, who had successfully passed through all the trials, was attached. not
nailed, but simply tied on a couch in the form of a tau T (in Egypt) of a
Svastika without the four additional prolongations (thus: [a cross], not
[svastika shape] plunged in a deep sleep (the "Sleep of Siloam" it is called
to this day among the initiates in Asia Minor, in Syria and even higher
Egypt). He was allowed to remain in this state for three days and three
nights, during which time his Spiritual Ego was said to confabulate with the
"gods," descend into Hades, Amenti or Patala (according to the country), and
do works of charity to the invisible beings, whether souls of men or
Elemental Spirits; his body remaining all the time in a temple crypt or
subterranean cave. In Egypt it was placed in the Sarcophagus in the King's
Chamber of the Pyramid of Cheops and carried during the night of the
approaching third day to the entrance of the gallery. where at a certain
hour the beams of the rising Sun struck full on the face of the entranced
candidate, who awoke to be initiated by Osiris, and Thoth the God of
Wisdom...[see the bas-reliefs...especially from the temple of Philoe,
represents a scene of initiation.] SD II 558

"The ancient MSS. mention these "hard couches of those who were in
(spiritual) travail, the act of giving birth to themselves."...remember the
allegory of Visvakarma, the creative power, the great architect of the
world, called in the Veda "the all-seeing god," who "sacrifices himself to
himself" (the Spiritual Egos of mortals are his own essence, one with him,
therefore). Remember that he is called Deva Vardhika "the builder of the
gods" and that it is he who ties (the Sun) Surya, his son-in-law, on his
lathe, in the exoteric allegory; on the Swastika, in esoteric tradition, as
on earth he is the Hierophant Initiator, and cuts away a portion of his
brightness. Visvakarma, remember again, is the Son of Yoga-Siddha, i.e.,
the holy power of Yoga, and the fabricator of the "fiery weapon," the magic
Agneyastra..." SD II 559

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Best wishes,

Dallas
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