Theos-Talk Archives (March 2007 Message tt00156)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "adelasie" <adelasie@...> wrote:
>
> I do not wish someone else to tell me what to believe or whom to 
> study. I do not want to hear anyone denigrate a teacher I revere. I 
> do not allow anyone to tell me which teacher is best or which is 
> worst. Since I do not like to be treated this way, I do not feel I 
> have the right to do those things to anyone else. If you feel 
> differently, then by all means, carry on as you feel is right. 
There 
> is no other way to learn.

Dear Adelasie

Your above statement addresses one of my stated concerns with Bishop 
Leadbeater and Dr Besant's teachings. The mindset they brought to 
Theosophy was one of authority, required compliance and obedience to 
their teachings, precisely what you argue against.

Doesn't your defence against judgement of any kind recognise a 
difficulty here?
How do we approach with a non-judgemental mind a body of teachings 
which requires obedience? 
In the name of freedom, do we permit a body of teachings, claiming 
the theosophical title, which limit and sometimes deny us that 
freedom? 
It is an age old dilemma; Do we support freedom by supporting that 
which denies us that quality?

Do you have any suggestions?

Kind regards
Nigel




> 
> Adelasie
> 
> On 5 Mar 2007 at 15:47, Cass Silva wrote:
> 
> > Hello again Adelasie,
> >    
> >   I understand your empathy towards others, but in some cases it 
could be that empathy encourages in the empathic a belief that all 
can be helped along the way by not disturbing their held religious or 
belief systems. 
> >   The example given by HPB was not to undermine the seeker but to 
undermine the seeker's path.  If a path is broken one may as well 
call a spade and spade and not try and plug the holes with half or 
twisted truths that keep the seeker in limbo.
> >    
> >   Cass 
> > 
> > adelasie <adelasie@...> wrote:
> >           Nigel, Bruce, Students, 
> > 
> > We are all students on the path, and once in awhile we become 
> > teachers for each other. All we can do is try and continue to try 
to 
> > do the right thing, as we perceive it. From time to time it seems 
> > useful to point out basic principles that can guide us in our 
> > decisions about what is or is not the right thing. The issues 
> > involved in this thread are sensitive ones, and obviously need 
> > airing, or they would not be so continually and relentlessly 
> > dissected and analyzed. 
> > 
> > Sometimes it seems that we find it almost too much to actually 
aspire 
> > to make our ideals a reality, but we need not despair. The more 
we 
> > try, the more help we receive from within. It is our work.
> > 
> > When we start deciding who or what should be removed, or, as in 
the 
> > subject of this thread, what is "pseudo-theosophy,"when we put 
> > ourselves in the position of judging our fellow seekers on the 
path, 
> > we put ourselves in a very tenuous position. Perhaps the 
situation 
> > deserves this sacrifice, but it is distressing to look back over 
the 
> > history of organized religion and see how often this stance, 
picking 
> > some one or other person or sect and deciding that they are to be 
> > removed, ignored, or worse, much worse, leads to some actions 
that 
> > are quite contrary to the original teaching. If it is ok for one 
of 
> > us to do that to another, what stops another from doing that to 
us? 
> > In what way does this promote the evolution of consciousness of 
unity 
> > of all life? 
> > 
> > Ultimately it is a matter of the individual and his own 
conscience, 
> > his own dialog with his own Higher Self. Compassion, tolerance, 
> > forgiveness: these can be of very practical use in that dialog.
> > 
> > Be well,
> > Adelasie 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >          
> > 
> >  
> > ---------------------------------
> > Need Mail bonding?
> > Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers 
users.
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> >
>