Theos-Talk Archives (August 2006 Message tt00363)

8/11/2006 7:32 AM

	RE: To new and old theosophical students:
		 PRINCIPLES -- SKANDHAS --  SAMSKARAS.

Dear Nigel and friends:

May I add some notes / queries to your text below?

Thanks and best wishes,

Dallas

-----Original Message-----
From: n h careyta  

Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 
To: 
Subject: To new and old theosophical students. 


NHC	

Dear students in common,

In our search for understanding of ourselves and the Kosmos, we
usually begin by asking questions from our particular
predispositions, often driven unconsciously at first by our skandhas.

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

DTB	

For clarity may we say that THEOSOPHY [as originally promulgated by HPB,
Judge,  etc...] employs the Sanskrit and its definitions.  If we diverge
from those originals we have a great confusion as to exact meanings.  

This not said to create a “dogma.” It is simply to avoid wandering and
uncertainty – in short – ignorance continues.  

Let us consult the “original” THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY – some of us have traced
and verified those explanations back to the original sources in THEOSOPHICAL
LITERATURE.  

This simplifies but does not debar any student from their own research and
verification.  In fact that is always encouraged.  But:  THERE ARE NO
SHORT-CUTS.  

Acceptance of dogma or dogmas without verification amounts to BLIND FAITH,
and, this is usually fatal to true personal progress along the PATH.  The
Voice says: “That PATH is one for all, the means to reach it will vary with
the Pilgrim.”


PRINCIPLES.	 The Elements or original essences, the basic
differentiations upon and of which all things are built up. We use the term
to denote the seven individual and fundamental aspects of the One Universal
Reality in Kosmos and in man. Hence also the seven aspects in the
manifestation in the human being—divine, spiritual, psychic, astral,
physiological and simply physical.”   Glos 262-3


INDIVIDUALITY. 	One of the names given in Theosophy and Occultism to the
Human Higher EGO. We make a distinction between the immortal and divine Ego,
and the mortal human Ego which perishes. The latter, or “personality”
(personal Ego) survives the dead body only for a time in the Kama Loka; the
Individuality prevails forever.”  Glos  154-5


PERSONALITY.	 In Occultism—which divides man into seven principles,
considering him under the three aspects of 

1	the divine, 
2	the thinking or the rational, and 
3	the animal man—

the lower quaternary or the purely astrophysical being; while by
INDIVIDUALITY is meant the Higher Triad, [ATMA – BUDDHI  --  MANAS]
considered as a Unity. Thus the PERSONALITY embraces all the characteristics
and memories of one physical life, while the INDIVIDUALITY IS THE
IMPERISHABLE EGO WHICH RE-INCARNATES and clothes itself in one personality
after another.”	Glos 252


 “SKANDHA or SKHANDA (Sk.). Lit., “bundles”, or groups of attributes;
[EMBEDDED IN THE "LIFE-ATOMS" or MONADS of lesser experience that are
attracted to us -- as a MONAD with experience and actively ON THE PATH] --
everything finite, inapplicable to the eternal and the absolute. 

There are five—esoterically, seven—attributes in every human living being,
which are known as the PANCHA SHANDHAS. These are 

(1) form, rupa; 

(2) perception, Vidana; 

(3) consciousness, Sanjna; 

(4) action, Samskara; 

(5) knowledge, Vidyana. 

These unite at the birth of man and constitute his personality. After the
maturity of these Skandhas, they begin to separate and weaken, and this is
followed by Jaramarana, or decrepitude and death.”    	THEOSOPHICAL
GLOSSARY. pp.  301-2


SAMSKARA (Sk.). Lit., from Sam and Krî, to improve, refine, impress. In
Hindu philosophy the term is used to denote the impressions left upon the
mind by individual actions or external circumstances, and capable of being
developed on any future favourable occasion—even in a future birth. 

The Samskara denotes, therefore, the germs of propensities and impulses from
previous births to be developed in this, or the coming janmas or
reincarnations. In Tibet, Samskâra is called Doodyed, and in China is
defined as, or at least connected with, action or Karma. It is, strictly
speaking, a metaphysical term, which in exoteric philosophies is variously
defined; e.g., in Nepaul as illusion, in Tibet as notion, and in Ceylon as
discrimination. The true meaning is as given above, and as such is connected
with Karma and its working.”		Glos 287-8

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

NC

Some of us will be satisfied solely with scientific rationale, others
with religion, still others with any one of the innumerable "new, new
age" options, be they healing, psychic development, astrology, astral
projection etc. The remainder who are unsatisfied or unfulfilled by
the aforementioned can often gravitate towards one or other form of
theosophy.

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

DTB	As I understand: 

TRUE ANTIQUE THEOSOPHY does not vary.  It is defined as the "accumulated
wisdom of the ages," and is preserved in its entirety in the AKASA [the
highest aspect of the universal and eternal tablets of the "astral light."
[From cycle to cycle the ancient philosophy / history is repromulgated in
part (or in whole ?) 

This record is open to the GREAT SOULS, the MAHATMAS, AVATARS,  Nirmanakayas
and Adepts -- they do not abuse or use it for any selfish purposes. They act
as docile agent for the LAW of KARMA --- because they KNOW THE LAW and found
it just and true. We are all invited to repeat for ourselves this great
study, and re-verification. We know at first hand and not through the dicta
of someone else 

They key [as I understand it is always the individual who makes the effort
to become WISE].  There are keys to the entrance, progress and success in
this eternal "School." It is discovered that they are uniformly the moral
and ethical application of all aspects of knowledge and wisdom relating to
the Universe an d all its many kind of components, as a whole, and to all
its principles and aspects down to every individual MONAD -- in whom reside
in potential the wisdom, power to act, and free-will of every INDIVIDUAL.
This INDIVIDUAL ascetic aspirant (disciple, chela) has to train his Lower
[personal] Self to become utterly unselfish.  Over many incarnations he has
built the personality he uses (made up of the "life-atoms" MONADS ) which
have been, and are now, attracted by their conjoint Karma together.  The
MONADS of lesser experience form under Law our bodies and personal
characters.  As such, they can help or impede us now.  

These booklets are of utmost help:

1	The BHAGAVAD GITA [taught by the most ancient WISE ONE (an Avatar)
to "Man" -- Arjuna -- is the most helpful treatise on this subject.  [ see S
D   I  207 - 20 ]

2	PATANJALI'S YOGA SUTRAS give us {when assiduously studied}  the most
comprehensive, succinct and accurate treatise on the Lower and the Higher
Mind [Kama-Manas and Buddhi-Manas}, on BUDDHI - universal and tested wisdom,
--all aspects including the MOTIVES of Psychology are discussed and their
inter-relation is clearly shown.

3	DHAMMAPADA ( Footfalls of the Law) -- Gautama Buddha.  Moral and
ethical applications of Karmic Law s it relates to our living and
independent choosing..

These books have to be STUDIED. Then, individually TESTED, and finally,
their precepts (ass acceptable to us) should be built into our day to day
character.  This is an eternal and an inescapable requirement of all
disciples and students of esotericism -- so they can be freely chosen and
applied as the student sees their necessity.  The results are being proved,
continually, century after century [see 
S D  I  272-3]  

HPB, in many places [but specially in the VOICE ] makes it plain that from
the "Lower Manas" of each of us, there arises gradually the morally and
ethically purified "Higher Manas," or: BUDDHI - MANAS.  This is the "golden
vase" that GAYATRI says surrounds the holy ATMA. 

This is the "Holy Grail,"  the "chalice," the "golden vase" [of the GAYATRI]
that enshrines the INDIVIDUAL RAY of the ATMA -- It is resident in every
atom, human, world, galaxy, UNIVERSE  it is a true and invariable, deathless
and CONSTANT.  This is then, the actual source for "UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD." 

They {the Mahatmas, Adepts} maintain in all ages, in various part of the
world, schools where the "principles" of ORIGINAL ESOTERICISM  [BODHI --
WISDOM  -- the HEART DOCTRINE] is continuously studied and taught. Original
Theosophical literature will be found pointing to this repeatedly.  Look for
it!  It is plain to the eye of those aspiring to become consciously wise in
Eternity. 

Constantly opposed to this are the many distracting and diverging schools,
many claiming "novelty," so-called, which can be seen to distinguish them
from the "freedom of thought, action and study" enjoined by the fee-less and
free-willed ORIGINAL ESOTERIC SCHOOL   Wisdom cannot be sold as a commodity!

This, of course is my view, and these deductions are from what I have
studied.  But I need not necessarily be "right."    

The word THEOSOPHY has been used and abused.  All variants (even and
specially those that use the word "THEOSOPHY" will be found to be
distinguished by authoritarianism, ritualism, rote (not free thought), and
the payment of money or property, designed to facilitate "learning" about,
and how to use "special powers."  These "powers" generally carry an element
of selfishness, and also, generally imply they can be used to compel others
to agree and be at will bent to the selfish will and benefit of a
self-proclaimed, successful "guru." [In which case we have an example of
divine wisdom inverted.  The selfish desire invokes SORCERY.  Dire are its
consequences.  Is there a cure ?  2500 years ago, Gautama the Buddha said :
"Cease from evil. Do good.  This is the WAY."]   

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

NC

And here the questioning perhaps needs to become a little more
focused, because not all theosophy is the same. Certainly, the three
fundamental propositions are inviolate in most versions, but from
this departure point theosophy has been presented in a number of
different forms, some being significantly at variance and even
contradictory to the "original" Theosophy of the Mahatmas and Madame 
H.P. Blavatsky. 

Many new students do not realise this and grasp onto the first 
version they come across, sometimes becoming strong defenders
of "their" particular tradition.

Other students, for one reason or another, continue to question their
introductory version. For them, merely accepting what their leaders,
teachers and writers have espoused is insufficient. There can be an
inner need to further investigate the authenticity of the information
and its veracity.

This is where matters become more significant as those students may
begin to discover that the "original" Theosophy of Madame Blavatsky
and her teachers is not only about releasing a new ....

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

DTB   	I would say:  "An OLD body of information " -- in the "new"
languages of this present world we have all incarnated in together. Now
undoubtedly scattered into various areas where we can resume our work of
promulgation and assistance --- if we will freely to devote ourselves to
that wonderful task. It is for this that we too, must carefully LEARN -- so
our representation of the Ancient Wisdom of THEOSOPHY is accurate,
reasonable and logical.] 

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

NC

...body of information to be learned, remembered and regurgitated at will.
 
The method in which their version was released in written form was also
intended to bring about a new way of thinking, where the religious
method of blind following was to be replaced by a spirit of free,
individual, ongoing inquiry. 

Neither Madame Blavatsky nor her teachers proclaimed perfect 
knowledge. Furthermore, they stated that only a corner of the veil of 
Truth was being lifted. So this ever open mindset, based in an honest 
and humble approach, seems to be what they were encouraging. For 
them, humanity had been deluded for too long into blindly 
believing "authority" figures.

As students inquire further, they may discover that humility and
honesty was not always the approach or method of certain theosophical 
leaders and writers who succeeded Blavatsky. As mentioned, students 
may also begin to discover variances and contradictions from 
the "original" writings. In discovering this, the issues of 
credibility and authenticity of both theosophical information and its 
proponents can become paramount.

To mount an effective investigation into credibility and
authenticity, the study of theosophical history, in terms of its
teachings and personages, is perhaps indispensable.

And herein lies the root of our debates between the proponents of the
various Theosophical organisations throughout the world, and here on
theos-talk. If we have differing versions of theosophy, which has the
greater credibility? If we have leaders, writers and teachers who
have been honest and truthful, and those who clearly have not, in
whom do we place our trust? Where we have one version which empowers 
us and another which would have us become subservient to "authority", 
which would we prefer to study further?

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

DTB	

why not keep it simple and study the ORIGINALS closely and with minute care?

When we learn the interlocking and self-proving logic of the ORIGINALS we
may secure more rapidly and accurately an understanding of all the rest.
Any Science or Theology can be compared with THEOSOPHY --  speculation,
theories, hypothesis, etc.. stand revealed for what their probable
conclusions are.  

Let me add:  The TRUE will be found same and accurate everywhere, at all
times and places.  The "False"  will fail in many ways, but above all
factors the test lies in SELFISHNESS and in a pandering to the fancy, to
wonder, and to unlawful wants and desires -- all short lasting, whereas the
TRUE is dignified by its being:  impartial, universal, and invulnerable.

Example: All the complexities of calculation and measurement rely on the 4
basic (and most ancient) rules of Arithmetic:  addition. subtraction,
division, and multiplication.

Similarly with Geometry, Astronautics, and every aspect of engineering.

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

NC

Until we become Adepts with profound insight and wisdom, these
questions seem to be of vital significance if we are to accept
Madame Blavatsky's challenge to truly and without prejudice think for
ourselves. Perhaps then we may begin the genuine journey towards 
Knowledge and Truth.

Very best wishes
Nigel Carey
Theosophical Academy
Australia

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

DTB	To become ADEPTS we need to seek the drops of wisdom that emanate
from that eternal  School.  We can begin with the great text-books of
THEOSOPHY made available to us now:

ISIS UNVEILED,  the SECRET DOCTRINE, The KEY TO THEOSOPHY, The VOICE OF THE
SILENCE.

As I see it, we have had a reprieve from dogmatic religious persecution (or
various kinds and types) of a few years of freedom.  Let make sure that what
is made available is preserved and passed on.

"Our destiny is to continue the wide work of the past in affecting
literature and thought throughout the world, while our ranks see many
changing quantities but always holding those who remain true to the program
and refuse to become dogmatic or to give up common-sense in theosophy.  Thus
we will wait for the new messenger, striving to keep the organization alive
that he may use it and have the great opportunity H.P.B. outlines when she
says, "Think how much one whom such an opportunity is given could
accomplish." 	WQJ Art  II 147


 
		ON THE FUTURE: A FEW REFLECTIONS

[Written in 1892 -- 114 years ago  --  how much of it has emerged since ?]


Although I am an American citizen, the place of my birth was in Ireland, and
in what I am about to say I cannot be accused of Columbiamania, for no
matter how long might be my life I could never be an American. For that
perhaps it is right, since it is compulsory, to wait for some distant
incarnation.

Now, either H. P. B. was right or she was wrong in what she says in the
Secret Doctrine about the future of America. If wrong, then all this may be
dismissed as idle speculation. But, if right, then all thoughtful
Theosophists must take heed, weigh well, mentally appropriate and always
remember what are her words as well as the conclusions to which they lead.
In the first pages of the second volume she speaks of five great Continents.
First, the Imperishable Sacred Land [this is at the North Pole, W.Q.J.];
second, the Hyperborean, now part of it is in Northern Asia; third, Lemuria,
sunk long ago, but leaving some remains, islands, the points of high
mountain ranges; fourth, Atlantis, presumably in the Atlantic Ocean, now
below the level of the water, but with perhaps Teneriffe and Atlas as
reminders; and fifth, "was America."

>From a survey of the book, digging in notes and culling from the text here
and there, the conclusion is irresistible that although the present America
is not the actual Continent as it is to be, it is a portion of it; and
certainly is now the nursery for the race that will in the future occupy the
sixth Continent, which for the sixth Great Root-Race will emerge from the
waters. 

Where? Perhaps when the present America has been split up by tremendous
cataclysms, leaving here and there large pieces on its western side, it is
in the Pacific Ocean that the great mass of the new one will come up from
the long sleep below the sea. Rightly then will the great far western ocean
have been named Pacific, for that Race will not be given to contest nor hear
of wars or rumours of war, since it will be too near the seventh, whose
mission it must be to attain to the consummation, to seize and hold the Holy
Grail.

Turn to page 444 and onward of the second volume [S D ]. Read there that the
Americans have become in only three hundred years a primary race pro tem.,
in short, the germs of the sixth sub-race, to blossom in a few more
centuries into the pioneers of that one which must succeed to the present
European fifth sub-race in all its characteristics. 

Then after about 25,000 years, which you will note is meant for a great
sidereal cycle of a little over that length of time, this new race will
prepare for the seventh sub-race. 

Cataclysms will then fall upon you; lands and nations will be swept away,
first of all being the European, including the British Isles - if not gone
before - and then parts of both North and South America. And how puny,
mongrel, indeed, will be the remains of the scientists of today, great
masters of microbes now, but then to be looked upon as strange remains of
the Nineteenth Century, when, as the people will tell each other then, so
many, with Truth before them, laughed at it and stoned its apostles, dancing
a fantastic dance meanwhile around the altar of invisible matter.

It seems as if some power, deliberately planning, had selected North and
South America for the place where a new primary root-race should be begun. 

These two continents were evidently the seats of ancient races and not the
habitat of wild undeveloped men. The red man of the Northern one has all the
appearance and beliefs of a once great race. He believes in one God, a
Devachan of happy hunting after death. Some tribes have diagrams of how the
world was formed and peopled, that strangely resemble Hindu cosmogony, and
their folklore bears deep marks of having come down from an older and better
time. 

Following the course of exploration southwards, we find accumulating
evidences all the way of a prior civilization now gone with the cyclic wave
which brought it up. Central America is crowded with remains in stone and
brick; and so on south still we discover similar proofs. In course of time
these continents became what might be called arable land, lying waiting,
recuperating, until the European streams of men began to pour upon it. The
Spanish overflowed South America and settled California and Mexico; the
English, French, and Spanish took the North, and later all nations came, so
that now in both continents nearly every race is mixed and still mixing.
Chinese even have married women of European blood; Hindus are also here; the
ancient Parsi race has its representatives; the Spanish mixed with the
aborigines, and the slaveholders with the Africans. I doubt not but that
some one from every race known to us has been here and has left, within the
last two hundred years, some impression through mixture of blood.

But the last remnants of the fifth Continent, America, will not disappear
until the new race has been some time born. Then a new Dwelling, the sixth
Continent, will have appeared over the waters to receive the youth who will
tower above us as we do above the pigmies of Africa. But no America as we
now know it will exist. 

Yet these men must be the descendants of the race that is now rising here.
Otherwise our philosophy is all wrong. So then, in America now is forming
the new sub-race, and in this land was founded the present Theosophical
Society: two matters of great importance. 

It was to the United States, observe, that the messenger of the Masters
came, although Europe was just as accessible for the enterprise set on foot.
Later, this messenger went to India and then to Europe, settling down in the
British Isles. All of this is of importance in our reflections. For why in
America at first does she begin the movement, and why end her part of it in
England? One might be led to ask why was not an effort made at all costs to
give the last impulse outwardly in the land of promise where she began the
work?

Do not imagine for one moment, O ye English brothers of mine, that London
was selected for this because the beauties of your island called her, or for
that she had decided at the finish that after all a mistake had been made in
not going there first. It was all out of stern necessity, with a wisdom
derived from many older heads, having in view the cycles as they sweep
resistlessly forward. 

The point where the great energy is started, the centre of force, is the
more important, and not the place at which it is ended. And this remains
true, no matter how essential the place of ending may be in the scheme.
What, do you suppose India is not as important? and would not that land have
offered seemingly a better spot than all for the beginning of the magnum
opus? Adepts do not make mistakes like that.

America's discovery is ascribed to Christopher Columbus. Although it is
doubted, yet no one doubts that the Spanish people did the most at first in
peopling it, meanwhile working off some old and making some new Karma, by
killing many of the aborigines. 

Thus it is that doomed people rush on to their doom, even as the troops of
insects, animals and men were seen by Arjuna to rush into Krishna's flaming
mouths. But later came the sturdy stock from England, who, in the greatest
nation, the most enduring on this continent, have left their impress
indelibly in the people, in its laws, in its constitution, its customs, its
literature and language. 

Perhaps England and Ireland are the gateways for the Egos who incarnate here
in the silent work of making a new race. Maybe there is some significance in
the fact that more lines of steamships conveying human freight come to the
United States from England, passing Ireland on the way as the last seen land
of the old world, than from anywhere else. The deeds of men, the enterprises
of merchants, and the wars of soldiers all follow implicitly a law that is
fixed in the stars, and while they copy the past they ever symbolize the
future.

Did H. P. B. only joke when she wrote in her book that Ireland is an ancient
Atlantean remnant, and England a younger Isle, whose rising from the sea was
watched by wise men from Erin's shore? Perhaps the people of that old land
may have an important influence in the new race of America. It would appear
from comparison that they might have had, and probably will in the future. 

Perhaps, politically, since many expect social disturbances in America. In
such a case any student of character will admit that the Irish, ignorant or
not, will stand for law and order - for her sons are not battling here with
an ancient foe. 

Why, too, by strange freak of fate is the great stone of destiny in
Westminster Abbey fixed under the coronation chair on which the Queen was
crowned? Let us also be informed if there be any finger-shadow pointing to
the future in the fact that England's Queen, crowned over that stone, 1 is
Empress of India, from which we claim the Aryans came, and where their
glorious long-forgotten knowledge is preserved? Her name is Victory. It is
the victory for "the new order of Ages"; and that new order began in
America, its advent noted and cut on the as yet unused obverse side of the
present seal of the United States Government. 

A victory in the union of the Egos from East and West; for England stretches
one hand over to the home of the new race, which she can never own, with the
other governing India, and completes the circuit. It may be a fleeting
picture, perhaps to be wiped out for a while in a stream of blood, but such
is the way the cycles roll and how we may learn to read the future. For
England's destiny is not complete, nor has the time struck. 

None of us hug foolish delusions too long, and even if Ireland were once a
most sacred place, that is no reason why we should want to go there. For in
America those whose Karma has led them there will work for the same end and
brotherhood as others left in India and Europe. The dominant language and
style of thought in America is English, albeit transforming itself every
day. 

It is there that silently the work goes on; there European fathers and
mothers have gone, establishing currents of attraction that will inevitably
and unceasingly draw into reincarnation Egos similar to themselves. And the
great forward and backward rush is completed by the retarded Egos as they
die out of other nations, coming meanwhile into flesh again among the older
races left behind.

* * * *

At least such seemed the view while the clouds lifted - and then once more
there was silence.

WILLIAM Q. JUDGE, F.T.S.

Lucifer, March, 1892
 
(1) It is an interesting fact that in India there is an important ceremony
called "mounting the stone."
 
================================

		Best wishes,

		Dallas