Theos-Talk Archives (December 2007 Message tt00090)

It's probably pretty safe to say that manipulations of material life, 
such as smoking or not smoking, eating meat or not eating meat, do 
not guarantee enlightenment. It is the inner life that is 
significant, and how it manifests. Are we kind and thoughtful, 
selfless and altruistic, compassionate and non-judgemental? Do we try 
to accept responsibility for our actions and do we try to do the 
right thing? Do we try to think for ourselves? There are lists 
everywhere in occultism that describe the student's aspirations. And 
above all, be sure, when the student is ready  the teacher will 
appear. But be careful of making judgements about another's process. 
No one can really know another's heart. As for HPB, if you want to 
judge her, do so by reading all her work and meditating upon her 
accomplishments, keeping in mind what we know about her life, her 
complete selflessness, how she provided us not only with the 
teachings we need to get through these "interesting times," but with 
an example to emulate in our own process. 

Happy New Year all,
Adelasie

On 30 Dec 2007 at 19:30, MKR wrote:

> Does anyone "really" know the criteria used to be accepted as a chela? I
> doubt. Don't apply our worldly standards. Col Olcott, a smoker and a meat
> eater, was visited by several Adepts. Thousands of others who led a clean
> life -- vegetarian, nonsmoker etc. have never even heard of the Adepts,
> leave alone being visited by Adepts.
> 
> mkr
> On 12/2
> 8/07, Richard Semock <semockr@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Its well known that HPB was a chain smoker and addicted to nicotine and
> > possibly hash. Its hard to see why she was chosen to be the messenger
> > of theosophy even after a 7yr stint as a strictly disciplined chela.
> >
> > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "Konstantin Zaitzev" <kay_ziatz@...>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, Marko
> > Manninen wrote:
> > >
> > > > what were the tests and objectives of seven year long
> > apprenticeship
> > > > in early Theosophy? I'd like to find references to books handling
> > >
> > > I don't know which exactly they were but I understood that a
> > candidate
> > > was tested during the process of theosophical work. Most of those who
> > > proved to be failures finally openly condemned H.P. Blavatsky, so
> > > their failure became obvious to all.
> > > Funny enough that one of them is that author whom I would recommend.
> > > It was M. Chatterjee who more than others wrote about qualifications
> > > for discipleship in early years of the Theosophical Society.
> > >
> >
> > 
> >
> 
> 
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> 
>