Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00271)

Friends,  

In her famous text "The Original Programme of The Theosophical 
Society", H.P.B. mentions four, and not three objects of the 
movement.   

She describes the fourth object with these words: 

" 4. To oppose materialism and theological dogmatism in every 
possible way, by demonstrating the existence of occult forces 
unknown to science, in nature, and the presence of psychic and 
spiritual powers in man; trying, at the same time to enlarge the 
views of the Spiritualists by showing them that there are other, 
many other agencies at work in the production of phenomena besides 
the "Spirits" of the dead. Superstition had to be exposed and 
avoided; and occult forces, beneficent and maleficent -- ever 
surrounding us and manifesting their presence in various ways -- 
demonstrated to the best of our ability."

Indeed, throughout her life, HPB did oppose theological dogmatism 
and other forms of narrow-mindedness, as well as scientific 
materialism and non-scientific skepticism. This was not something 
nice to do, and she did not look nice to the eyes of those who 
identified themselves with conventional thoughts and institutions.

Do we have the courage to do the same? 

Do we need still today the vigorous and questioning kind of 
Theosophy which HPB presented to us all?  

Is it enough for us to keep evolving perhaps some pet theosophical 
ideas,  while the world lives the present crisis?  

Or should we perhaps  help each other in taking advantage of the 
original Theosophy, which had the courage to put truth above 
personal comfort, physical or psychological? 

Can we bring "the great orphan", humanity into our agenda? 

And for that, can we accept that only by looking with truthfulness 
to our own movement and to its history, and by renouncing 
illusions,  we will be able to see with clarity the present moment 
of our humanity and the steps to be made? 

Can we see that we are "karmically co-responsible" for the state of 
the planet, so that it may be the time now for stopping being 
"psychologically co-irresponsible" for its fate, as if we could 
just "wash our hands" with regard to it?  

The four objects as described by HPB are more updated today than 
never before.  See her description of them in the lines below. 

You will find the whole "Original Problem" in the website of the 
Pasadena TS, by simply clicking at 

http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/theos/th-origp.htm


Best regards,  Carlos. 


oooooooooooooo

The Original Programme of The Theosophical Society

By H. P. Blavatsky

In order to leave no room for equivocation, the members of the T. S. 
have to be reminded of the origin of the Society in 1875. Sent to 
the U.S. of America in 1873 for the purpose of organizing a group of 
workers on a psychic plane, two years later the writer received 
orders from her Master and Teacher to form the nucleus of a regular 
Society whose objects were broadly stated as follows: 

1. Universal Brotherhood; 

2. No distinction to be made by the member between races, creeds, or 
social positions, but every member had to be judged and dealt by on 
his personal merits; 

3. To study the philosophies of the East -- those of India chiefly, 
presenting them gradually to the public in various works that would 
interpret exoteric religions in the light of esoteric teachings; 

4. To oppose materialism and theological dogmatism in every possible 
way, by demonstrating the existence of occult forces unknown to 
science, in nature, and the presence of psychic and spiritual powers 
in man; trying, at the same time to enlarge the views of the 
Spiritualists by showing them that there are other, many other 
agencies at work in the production of phenomena besides 
the "Spirits" of the dead. Superstition had to be exposed and 
avoided; and occult forces, beneficent and maleficent -- ever 
surrounding us and manifesting their presence in various ways -- 
demonstrated to the best of our ability. 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO