Theos-Talk Archives (February 2008 Message tt00326)

I think it is a moot point, as neither women nor men priests can perform magic.  It is less unlikely for a woman to be 'initiated' in the true sense, as they generally are connected to family through nurturing etc and the path of the chela must be walked alone.
  Cass

MKR <mkr777@gmail.com> wrote:
          * **Thanks.

I have heard this reasoning about only men being effective in bringing down
the high energy. I am wondering if there is any discussion about the
connection between men and their effectiveness in connecting with higher
energy sources anywhere mentioned in HPB's writings or MLs as**t**hese would
surely help all of us to get a better understanding of the situation. I am
also wondering if these forces are so powerful and benificient, why some of
the well known Hindu theosophical leaders never chose to get ordained in the
LCC, thus making use of the opportunity to bring beneficient forces to the
welfare of everyone. Clarifying some of these would help those who are new
to theosophy and can understand how the theosophical society objects and LCC
are in sync.
**
When I witnessed LCC ritual years ago in Adyar, the only officiants were
westerners who grew up in christian environment.

mkr**

**
*
On 2/23/08, Jokela Petri <jokelap@dnainternet.net> wrote:
>
>
> As far as I know, in a way they are sticking into the "old tradition" or
> original tradition, but they are not againts women priesthood, but they
> belive
> that ceremony is masculine and someone should create femine ceremony to
> make it work. But who could create such a ceremony today they say? There
> is no
> clairvoyant priests in LCC, I assume. Former internationl bishop (some
> kind of head)
> told us once that there was once two clairvoyant particpants in the LCC
> mass who
> didnt know each other and they saw the same thing that when woman
> celebranty was as a priest
> highest energies did not occur in the mass (he said it more correctly
> refering to some part of the ceremony
> where some ceratin kind of blessings are supposed to be taken place, but
> I am not so familiar with that).
> LCC does have some kind of Sister Mary organisation within those who
> does not have women priest yet.
> In European Congress in Finland 2007 I heard that some Ducth woman was
> initated to pristhood,
> she was probably the first one.
>
> PJ
>
> MKR kirjoitti:
> >
> > Glad to hear that changes are taking place. I think the move is in the
> > right
> > direction. Hopefully we will have a woman Pope or Popess in the future.
> >
> > Still the question is where does the LCC in which many well known
> members
> > and also those in the leadership Theosophical Society stands today.
> > Are they
> > still sticking to the male priesthood following the old tradition?
> >
> > mkr
> >
> > On 2/22/08, Katinka Hesselink <mail@katinkahesselink.net<mail%40katinkahesselink.net>
> > <mailto:mail%40katinkahesselink.net>> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > As for women priests - MKR you are a bit behind the time. There was a
> > > split in the LCC a few years back (I think 3 or 4) when the majority
> > > of the Dutch section of the LCC decided they did want to have women as
> > > priests in the LCC. So now they do - or will have soon (there's a
> > > tremendous amount of initiations one has to go through within the LCC
> > > to get to the level of priest, apparently). As far as I know several
> > > European LCC churches have since joined the Dutch LCC people in their
> > > allowing women as priests. I hadn't heard that the US LCC had done
> > > that, or a portion of it, but it's certainly possible. From what I
> > > heard it was mainly Australian LCC-members who were dead-set against
> > > women as priests.
> > >
> > > Katinka Hesselink
> > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <mailto:theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com> <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "Pablo
> > > Sender" <pasender@...> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Dear mkr
> > > >
> > > > I think what you say is not true. It is only prejudice. I'm not a
> > > > member of the LCC and I've written articles, given lectures,
> conducted
> > > > workshops and courses, in Enlgish and Spanish, in different
> countries.
> > > > I've been working at Adyar (the international headquarter) for a
> > > > couple of years and now I'm working at Wheaton (the American
> > > > headquarter). There was never any interference of the LCC.
> > > > On the other hand, what happens in the LCC is not a TS matter (but,
> by
> > > > the way, in the staff here there is a woman priest).
> > > > So I'm afraid it is again the same. Ungrounded statements.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <mailto:theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com> <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>,
> MKR
> > > <mkr777@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > It is well-known that "officially' there is no connection between
> TS
> > > > > and LCC and Co-masonry. But, many in leadership position in one
> have
> > > > > held the leadership position in the other. Also, for a newbee, it
> is
> > > > > very difficult to reconcile the first object of TS and the
> hierarchy
> > > > > of LCC. How many women bishops or priests are there in LCC?
> > Answer is
> > > > > none. Also it was an invention after the time of HPB. Are there
> any
> > > > > mention in HPB's writings or that of MLs
> > > > > about the future establishment of a Church? Also when one is a
> > > member of
> > > > > multiple organization with cross memberships and leaderships, it
> > > > produces
> > > > > all kinds of subtle strong pressures to conform and not to rock
> the
> > > > boat if
> > > > > one wants to move up with titles and get favors like
> > > > > being provided opportunity to be lecturers etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > All one needs to do is google the past discussions on the
> > theosophical
> > > > > maillists to get a gist of the varied opinions on various
> > > > > organizational issues and some of it will be revealing and as
> > well as
> > > > > surprising.
> > > > >
> > > > > My 0.02.
> > > > >
> > > > > mkr
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 2/13/08, Pablo Sender <pasender@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On what grounds do you say that "It was Besant who (with
> > > Leadbeater's
> > > > > > input) turned Theosophy into a religious organization through
> the
> > > > > > LCC"? In this circle it is fashionable to criticize Besant and
> > > > > > Leadbeater for whatever they did, and most of the times the
> > > statements
> > > > > > are unsupported.
> > > > > > What is the influence of the LCC upon the TS today? NONE. That
> > > is the
> > > > > > truth. But, as result of that endeavor in the past, there is
> > > today in
> > > > > > the world a Christian church that has a theosophical foundation.
> > > What
> > > > > > could be better than that? Since the traditional Christianity is
> > > > > > dying, the LCC could be a wonderful bridge between
> > Christianity and
> > > > > > Theosophy in the future. We cannot expect all the Egos with
> their
> > > > > > different states of evolution to be interested in Theosophy.
> > But the
> > > > > > LCC might be a very good tool in taking that step from
> > > Christianity to
> > > > > > Theosophy. The Mahatmas make their plans in terms of hundred of
> > > years,
> > > > > > so we don't know what could the future role of the LCC be.
> > > > > > Anyway, apart from that, the LCC doesn't affect the TS at all.
> The
> > > > > > over-reactions through the years proved to be groundless and
> based
> > > > > > only in one thing (as every fundamentalist thinking is): Fear.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <mailto:theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com> <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, Cass
> > > > > > Silva <silva_cass@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I can see your point, I think. Have you considered that every
> > > great
> > > > > > teacher will have a following. Jesus did not start out to set up
> > > > > > Christianity but to reintroduce the ancient wisdom. HPB had her
> > > > > > advaitees too. It was Besant who (with Leadbeater's input)
> turned
> > > > > > Theosophy into a religious organization through the LCC and the
> > > belief
> > > > > > that a saviour was to return to save mankind. He was supposedly
> > > > > > coming into Sydney Harbour!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I agree that many people who follow Krishnamurti have an
> > > > > > intellectual mind set but one cannot blame the teacher if the
> > > > > > followers misunderstand the message. Yes organizations were set
> up
> > > > > > around him, but did he personally benefit from the
> > establishment of
> > > > > > these organizations? I never saw any trappings of wealth
> > around him,
> > > > > > all I saw, was a man who devoted his life to spreading the
> > > teaching of
> > > > > > advaita.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I guess we are just going to disagree on Krishnamurti as I
> don't
> > > > > > place him in the same pot as Besant and Leadbeater. Yes, he had
> > > > > > personality issues, but so did HPB, the stronger the soul, the
> > > > > > stronger the ego.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Cass
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Morten Nymann Olesen <global-theosophy@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Allright Cass. But, I think you turn it all up side down. Try
> to
> > > > > > listen to what I say.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I just follow H. P. Blavatsky's views. She said: Theosophy is
> > > > > > religion, and not a religion.
> > > > > > > So when I talk about a Theosophical camp it might not be the
> > > one you
> > > > > > refer to.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > It is when you turn theosophy into - A - religion like J.
> > > > > > Krishnamurti, Annie Besant and C. W. Leadbeater did, I do not
> > > support
> > > > > > their activities and views. And the same goes to the present day
> > > > > > fanatics witihin the J. Krishnamurti camp.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > M. Sufilight
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > > From: Cass Silva
> > > > > > > To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <mailto:theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com><theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:03 AM
> > > > > > > Subject: Re: Theos-World What is Theosophy
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Sometimes one has to get lost in order to be found. Again,
> > Morten,
> > > > > > you are attacking Krishnamurti over Theosophy. He never said he
> > > was a
> > > > > > theosophist. He rejected Besant/Leadbeater theosophy because it
> > > > > > advocated a Maitreya. Don't make the mistake of making
> > Theosophy the
> > > > > > one true religion.
> > > > > > > Cass
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Morten Nymann Olesen <global-theosophy@> wrote:
> > > > > > > To all readers
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > My views are:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Interesting email Pablo. I thank you.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Pablo wrote:
> > > > > > > "It is our responsibility to
> > > > > > > preserve a space of freedom for every member to discover
> > universal
> > > > > > > theosophy by himself so that, by living according to its
> > > > teachings, he
> > > > > > > or she may realize the theosophical state of consciousness."
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > A peacefully ask all readers:
> > > > > > > Does this - "responsibility" - imply, that it is a very good
> > > idea to
> > > > > > promote a socalled Messiah or Meitreya or J. Krishnamurti cult
> > > within
> > > > > > the theosophical camp and thereby creating an emotional or
> > > > > > intellectual cult of followers, claiming that this is
> theosophical
> > > > > > teachings?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > M. Sufilight
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > > > From: Pablo Sender
> > > > > > > To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <mailto:theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com><theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:34 AM
> > > > > > > Subject: Theos-World What is Theosophy
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "What is Theosophy?" is one of the most frequently asked
> > > > > > > questions in the theosophical milieu and, since the word
> > > > > > > `theosophy' remains without an official definition, it will
> > > > > > > always be a matter to ponder over. To answer this question, I
> > > > will quote
> > > > > > > H. P. Blavatsky's words, because the theosophical movement as
> a
> > > > > > > whole accepts her as a common source of inspiration.
> > > > Nevertheless, the
> > > > > > > same concepts may be found in many other theosophical writers.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The term theosophia apparently was first recorded during the
> 3rd
> > > > century
> > > > > > > of our era by Porphyry, a well-known Alexandrian philosopher
> who
> > > > > > > belonged to the Neo-Platonic school. It is composed of two
> Greek
> > > > words:
> > > > > > > theos, meaning `god' or `divine'; and sophia, or
> > > > > > > `wisdom', which may also be translated as the `wisdom of the
> > > > > > > gods', `wisdom in things divine', or `divine
> > > > > > > wisdom'. The term flourished among Neo-Platonists down to the
> > > 6th c.
> > > > > > > and was also used by certain Christians. In the course of
> time,
> > > > several
> > > > > > > people and movements spiritually inclined also adopted the
> > > > denomination
> > > > > > > of `theosophers' or `theosophists' for themselves. That
> > > > > > > was the case of Meister Eckhart in the 14th c., a group of
> > > > Renaissance
> > > > > > > philosophers such as Paracelsus in the 16th c., Robert Fludd,
> > > Thomas
> > > > > > > Vaughan, and Jacob Boehme in the 17th; and Emanuel Swedenborg
> > > > and Karl
> > > > > > > von Eckartshausen in the 18th c., among others. Finally, the
> > > > > > > theosophical movement reappeared in the 19th c. with the
> > > > founding of the
> > > > > > > Theosophical Society in 1875 by H. P. Blavatsky, H. S.
> > Olcott, and
> > > > > > > others. Through it, certain eternal truths were presented
> > > again in a
> > > > > > > suitable fashion to modern times and a rich literature has
> been
> > > > produced
> > > > > > > by Theosophical Society members in its more than 130 years of
> > > > activity.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > But then the question arises: Is theosophy what the founders
> of
> > > > the TS
> > > > > > > taught? Is it what every leader of the TS wrote? What is the
> > > > > > > relationship between the teachings given through the TS and
> > > > those older
> > > > > > > ones also known as theosophy? Since people with different
> > > > religious and
> > > > > > > philosophical backgrounds used the same word `theosophist' to
> > > > > > > call themselves, the term `theosophy' must represent something
> > > > > > > that unites them beyond concepts and beliefs.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Theosophia as a state of consciousness
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In her article `What is Theosophy?' HPB attempts an
> explanation
> > > > > > > of the term `theosophy', describing who a theosophist is. To
> > > > > > > that end, she quotes Vaughan's definition:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > A Theosophist-he says-is one who gives you a theory of God or
> > > > > > > the works of God, which has not revelation, but an inspiration
> > > > of his
> > > > > > > own for its basis. [i]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > A theosophist's knowledge about the Divine does not come
> > from any
> > > > > > > external source. He does not gather information from books,
> > > > teachers,
> > > > > > > etc., but from his own inmost nature. In fact, an essential
> > common
> > > > > > > feature of every theosophist is his teaching about the
> > > > possibility for a
> > > > > > > human being to reach the Divine at the moment of real ecstasy,
> > > > or what
> > > > > > > is known as samâdhi in Eastern philosophy. In her article `The
> > > > > > > Beacon of the Unknown', HPB speaks about this as being a
> > > > > > > `transcendental Theosophy', which, according to her, `is
> > > > > > > true Theosophy, inner Theosophy, that of the soul':
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The infinite cannot be known to our reason, which can only
> > > > distinguish
> > > > > > > and define; but we can always conceive the abstract idea
> > > > thereof, thanks
> > > > > > > to that faculty higher than our reason-intuition, or the
> > spiritual
> > > > > > > instinct of which I have spoken. The great initiates, who have
> > > > the rare
> > > > > > > power of throwing themselves into the state of samâdhi-which
> can
> > > > > > > be but imperfectly translated by the word ecstasy, a state in
> > > > which one
> > > > > > > ceases to be the conditioned and personal `I', and becomes one
> > > > > > > with the ALL-are the only ones who can boast of having been in
> > > > > > > contact with the infinite; but no more than other mortals
> > can they
> > > > > > > describe that state in words . . . .
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > These few characteristics of true Theosophy and its practice
> > > > have been
> > > > > > > sketched for the small number of our readers who are gifted
> > > with the
> > > > > > > desired intuition. [ii]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > And HPB herself had access to this kind of Divine Wisdom. Let
> > > us see
> > > > > > > what she wrote about her own source of knowledge:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Knowledge comes in visions, first in dreams and then in
> pictures
> > > > > > > presented to the inner eye during meditation. Thus have I been
> > > > taught
> > > > > > > the whole system. . . . Not a word was spoken to me of all
> this
> > > > in the
> > > > > > > ordinary way . . . nothing taught me in writing. And
> > knowledge so
> > > > > > > obtained is so clear . . . that all other sources of
> > > > information, all
> > > > > > > other methods of teaching with which we are familiar dwindle
> > into
> > > > > > > insignificance in comparison with this. [iii]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > This kind of knowledge is much deeper than that acquired
> through
> > > > books
> > > > > > > and lectures, because one deals with reality in a more direct
> > > > way than
> > > > > > > through ideas-this perception is supra-conceptual. From this
> > point
> > > > > > > of view, theosophy, essentially, is not a limited body of
> > > > concepts, but
> > > > > > > transcends any verbal formulation. It is a state of Divine
> > > > Wisdom, which
> > > > > > > is potentially in every human being. A theosophist, in his
> turn,
> > > > is one
> > > > > > > who realizes that state of inner enlightenment, irrespective
> > > of his
> > > > > > > culture, time, or language:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > In this view every great thinker and philosopher, especially
> > every
> > > > > > > founder of a new religion, school of philosophy, or sect, is
> > > > necessarily
> > > > > > > a Theosophist. Hence, Theosophy and Theosophists have existed
> > > > ever since
> > > > > > > the first glimmering of nascent thought made man seek
> > > > instinctively for
> > > > > > > the means of expressing his own independent opinions. [iv]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Theosophia and theosophical teachings
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > But the word theosophy is also applied to the theosophical
> > > > teachings;
> > > > > > > that is, the body of concepts taught by a theosophist as a
> > > > result of his
> > > > > > > insight and wisdom. There is an important difference between
> > > > theosophy
> > > > > > > as the state of Divine Wisdom and theosophy as the teachings
> > > > that come
> > > > > > > through someone who has attained (whether temporarily or
> > > > permanently)
> > > > > > > that enlightened state. The Divine Wisdom is the perception of
> > > > Truth,
> > > > > > > but the teachings are a necessarily partial and conditioned
> > > > expression
> > > > > > > of the real theosophia. They are, therefore, not the Truth,
> > but a
> > > > > > > description of it. One may be in touch with the theosophical
> > > > teachings
> > > > > > > and know them very well, but it is not the same as to
> > realize the
> > > > > > > theosophical state of consciousness, because we cannot reach
> > > Wisdom
> > > > > > > through the accumulation of knowledge. When taken as an end in
> > > > > > > themselves, the theosophical teachings are of little value;
> but
> > > > if the
> > > > > > > aspirant is earnest, their application will help him to live
> the
> > > > right
> > > > > > > life, to develop self-knowledge, and ultimately to awaken the
> > > Divine
> > > > > > > Wisdom that is in his inmost being.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Now, the very nature of the theosophical teachings accounts
> for
> > > > their
> > > > > > > diversity. A theosophist will speak according to his own
> > > inspiration
> > > > > > > `expressing his own independent opinions'. They are not
> > > > > > > brain-born ideas, but arise from a deep state of
> consciousness,
> > > > where
> > > > > > > the individual is facing Truth in some of its many aspects.
> And
> > > > in that
> > > > > > > state he does not learn through easily repeated concepts, but
> > > > through
> > > > > > > `images'. He has therefore the difficult task of putting into
> > > > > > > words his holistic comprehension of something which is beyond
> > > > our known
> > > > > > > reality. We can imagine how faint must be the expression of a
> > > > truth in
> > > > > > > our languages, and why many mystics refused to put into words
> > > > that which
> > > > > > > is Sacred. Quoting again HPB's words:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > One of the reasons why I hesitate to answer offhand some
> > > > questions put
> > > > > > > to me is the difficulty of expressing in sufficiently accurate
> > > > language
> > > > > > > things given to me in pictures, and comprehended by me by
> > the pure
> > > > > > > Reason, as Kant would call it. [v]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Nevertheless, they have to communicate it as skilfully as they
> > > > can if
> > > > > > > they want to point out the way to others. Thus, the expression
> > > > of the
> > > > > > > theosophical teachings must necessarily be different from
> > > > theosophist to
> > > > > > > theosophist according to his own temperament, intellectual
> > > > background,
> > > > > > > and so on, giving to the theosophical exposition an
> > > extraordinarily
> > > > > > > dynamic nature that prevents it from becoming a creed.
> > Therefore,
> > > > > > > although one person may feel more attracted by the
> theosophical
> > > > > > > teachings as expressed by a particular theosophist, if he has
> a
> > > > right
> > > > > > > understanding, he will know that no verbal exposition is able
> to
> > > > express
> > > > > > > the Truth (not even at an intellectual level) and that
> > > > theosophia will
> > > > > > > not be attained by believing in any body of concepts. This is
> > > > why, since
> > > > > > > its inception, the Theosophical Society has encouraged no
> > > > dogmatism or
> > > > > > > belief.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Ancient Wisdom, a universal theosophy
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > There were theosophists and Theosophical Schools for the last
> > > 2,000
> > > > > > > years, from Plato down to the medieval Alchemists, who knew
> the
> > > > value of
> > > > > > > the term, it may be supposed. [vi]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Theosophy transcends the Theosophical Society and was with
> > > humanity
> > > > > > > since its inception, not only in Western countries, but also
> > > in the
> > > > > > > whole world. Since `every great thinker and philosopher is a
> > > > > > > Theosophist', Buddha, Zoroaster, Lao Tzu, Jesus Christ,
> > > > > > > Patañjali, Sankarâchârya, Nâgârjuna, and Rumi, among
> > > > > > > others, gave theosophical teachings, no matter how they
> labelled
> > > > their
> > > > > > > teachings.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > According to the theosophical view, every world religion is
> > > > based on,
> > > > > > > and comes from, one and the same ancient truth known in the
> past
> > > > as the
> > > > > > > `Wisdom-Religion'. This universal theosophy we are talking
> about
> > > > > > > `is the body of truths which forms the basis of all
> > religions, and
> > > > > > > which cannot be claimed as the exclusive possession of any'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > However, the pure and original teachings of religions became,
> in
> > > > time,
> > > > > > > more or less corrupted by human ambition and selfishness, and
> > > > obscured
> > > > > > > by superstition and ignorance. Thus, universal theosophy
> became
> > > > > > > entangled in a mass of confusion, and now a special effort is
> > > > necessary
> > > > > > > to bring back its purity. One of the aims of the Theosophical
> > > > Society is
> > > > > > > to encourage its members to investigate and discover the
> eternal
> > > > truths
> > > > > > > enshrined in different religions, philosophies, and sciences,
> > > and to
> > > > > > > offer them to the public in a purified form.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Modern Theosophy and the TS
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > When the Theosophical Society was founded it had no literature
> > > > of its
> > > > > > > own, and the main activity of its members was in the field
> > of that
> > > > > > > universal theosophy. But today, after more than 130 years, the
> > > > > > > literature produced through the TS covers a wide field of
> > subject
> > > > > > > matter. It has a metaphysical dimension that teaches the
> > > > functioning and
> > > > > > > constitution of the Cosmos, the aim of sentient existence in
> > > > different
> > > > > > > forms of life, the universal laws that rule its development,
> and
> > > > so on.
> > > > > > > Besides, modern theosophical literature speaks about right
> > > > living and
> > > > > > > the application of theosophical principles in daily life and,
> > > > finally,
> > > > > > > there are also a good number of books revealing universal
> > > > theosophy as
> > > > > > > present in different myths, philosophies, religions, and
> > > > sciences. All
> > > > > > > this literature is known as `modern Theosophy' (now usually
> > > > > > > written with a capital `T').
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Modern Theosophy offers a certain shared cosmovision, but
> since
> > > > it was
> > > > > > > produced by some theosophists' own inspiration, it is not a
> > > definite
> > > > > > > body of knowledge, but a dynamic exposition that differs in
> many
> > > > details
> > > > > > > or ways of expression from one author to another. Modern
> > > > Theosophy is
> > > > > > > not based on revelation or the teachings given by someone
> > > considered
> > > > > > > special and infallible, and it constantly receives new
> > additions,
> > > > > > > presenting different aspects and new formulations of the
> > > > theosophical
> > > > > > > principles. In fact, that is the way the Founders originally
> > > > meant it,
> > > > > > > as revealed in many of their writings, and even in those of
> the
> > > > Masters
> > > > > > > of the Wisdom. For example, in her first letter to the
> American
> > > > > > > Theosophists assembled in the 1888 Convention, HPB wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > According as people are prepared to receive it, so will new
> > > > Theosophical
> > > > > > > teachings be given. But no more will be given than the world,
> > > on its
> > > > > > > present level of spirituality, can profit by. It depends on
> the
> > > > spread
> > > > > > > of Theosophy-the assimilation of what has been already
> given-how
> > > > > > > much more will be revealed and how soon. [vii]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > If modern Theosophy would have been given to the world only
> > > > during the
> > > > > > > first years of the TS, the remaining members working for more
> > > > than 100
> > > > > > > years on a repetition of what had already been given, it would
> > > > mean the
> > > > > > > failure of the theosophical movement, as HPB warns in The Key
> to
> > > > > > > Theosophy [viii]. But fortunately that was not the case. There
> > > were
> > > > > > > several theosophists in the Theosophical Society, and each one
> > > > of them
> > > > > > > transmitted his insights and wisdom in a distinct and original
> > > way.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The role of the Theosophical Society
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Theosophy is an all-embracing Science; many are the ways
> leading
> > > > to it,
> > > > > > > as numerous in fact as its definitions. [ix]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Many are the ways leading to that state of Divine Wisdom,
> > > > because many
> > > > > > > are the different personal dispositions, states of
> > > development, and
> > > > > > > karmic bonds of every aspirant. The emphasis in every genuine
> > > > > > > theosophical association is not gathered around a single way
> but
> > > > around
> > > > > > > a single aim. Thus, for example, J. Boehme's Christian
> > theosophy,
> > > > > > > Mme Blavatsky's occultist theosophy, and J. Krishnamurti's
> > > > > > > psychological theosophy (if we can give them those labels),
> > though
> > > > > > > different in language and concepts, are nevertheless
> > theosophical
> > > > > > > teachings, since they all tend to awaken the Divine Wisdom
> > in the
> > > > > > > aspirant. And this feature of the TS, the policy of allowing
> > > > freedom of
> > > > > > > thought and encouraging its members' incessant searching with
> an
> > > > > > > open mind, is essential not only for the realization of
> > > > theosophia in
> > > > > > > oneself, but also for the vitality of the modern theosophical
> > > > movement.
> > > > > > > In HPB's words:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Orthodoxy in Theosophy is a thing neither possible nor
> > > > desirable. It is
> > > > > > > diversity of opinion, within certain limits, that keeps the
> > > > Theosophical
> > > > > > > Society a living and healthy body, its many other ugly
> features
> > > > > > > notwithstanding. Were it not, also, for the existence of a
> large
> > > > amount
> > > > > > > of uncertainty in the minds of students of Theosophy, such
> > healthy
> > > > > > > divergences would be impossible, and the Society would
> > > > degenerate into a
> > > > > > > sect, in which a narrow and stereotyped creed would take the
> > > > place of
> > > > > > > the living and breathing spirit of Truth and an ever growing
> > > > Knowledge.
> > > > > > > [x]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Almost every sentence of this excerpt is worthy of deep
> thought,
> > > > but we
> > > > > > > will leave that to the reader. We will only point out that
> > to say
> > > > > > > genuine Theosophy is only HPB's and her Masters' teachings
> (for
> > > > > > > example) is not only based on a misunderstanding of what
> > theosophy
> > > > > > > really is, but it also goes against the TS' own interests. One
> > > > > > > individual member may agree particularly with a certain
> > > > exposition of
> > > > > > > theosophy, let us say, Mme Blavatsky's, and he has a right to
> > > do so.
> > > > > > > But he should neither try to force others to accept his view,
> > > > nor claim
> > > > > > > that her particular expression of theosophy should be
> > exclusively
> > > > > > > studied, at the risk of betraying the Founders' original
> > aim. The
> > > > > > > Theosophical Society, aiming to become a nucleus of the
> > universal
> > > > > > > brotherhood, must remain open to universal theosophy, to
> > > > everything that
> > > > > > > may help to morally and spiritually elevate people who belong
> to
> > > > > > > different races, creeds, sex, castes, and colours. Otherwise,
> it
> > > > will
> > > > > > > become a particular sect, promoting a `stereotyped creed',
> > > > > > > suitable only to a portion of humanity sharing certain common
> > > > > > > characteristics. That would be the failure of the TS:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Every such attempt as the Theosophical Society has hitherto
> > > ended in
> > > > > > > failure, because, sooner or later, it has degenerated into a
> > > > sect, set
> > > > > > > up hard-and-fast dogmas of its own, and so lost by
> imperceptible
> > > > degrees
> > > > > > > that vitality which living truth alone can impart. [xi]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Of course, this does not imply that where Theosophical groups
> as
> > > > such
> > > > > > > meet should be a place to spread other traditions (see John
> > > Algeo's
> > > > > > > `On the Watch-Tower', The Theosophist April 2007) nor that
> > > > > > > everything promoted as being a `spiritual teaching' is really
> > > > > > > theosophy. That is, not everything promoted as being
> spiritual,
> > > > > > > philosophical or religious helps to elevate the human
> condition.
> > > > As we
> > > > > > > said, sometimes the originally spiritual teaching was
> corrupted
> > > > out of
> > > > > > > ignorance, thirst for domination, and so on. In other cases
> the
> > > > teaching
> > > > > > > is offered by a `false prophet'-someone whose intention is not
> > > > > > > at all to give a spiritual teaching, but to obtain personal
> > > profit.
> > > > > > > There are also some schools that spread a kind of `spiritual
> > > > > > > materialism' leading to the psychic, to fanaticism, or other
> > forms
> > > > > > > of selfishness, as is happening today in the New Age movement
> to
> > > > a large
> > > > > > > extent. Therefore, each member of the TS must develop a deep
> > > > > > > understanding and discrimination in order to discover, in an
> > > > open and
> > > > > > > non-dogmatic way, where theosophy is truly expressed and where
> > > it is
> > > > > > > not.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Summary
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thus it is clear that the term `theosophy' is used in
> different
> > > > > > > contexts. To clarify this matter, we could apply the following
> > > > > > > classification to make a distinction among the different
> > > > applications of
> > > > > > > this term:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > a) theosophia: the transcendental theosophy, that is, the
> > state of
> > > > > > > consciousness of inner enlightenment.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > b) universal theosophy: those theosophical teachings given by
> > > every
> > > > > > > great thinker, sage, and philosopher, modern or ancient. In
> this
> > > > > > > category we may add two subcategories:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > b1) ancient theosophy, sometimes called the Ancient Wisdom,
> > > > > > > meaning that ancient truth known in the past as the
> > > > > > > `Wisdom-Religion'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > b2) modern Theosophy, the Theosophical teachings offered by
> > > > > > > members of the Theosophical Society.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Since the TS was not founded to promote any particular
> > system, its
> > > > > > > members should not limit Theosophy to a definite set of
> > > concepts, if
> > > > > > > they do not want to create a new cult. It is our
> > responsibility to
> > > > > > > preserve a space of freedom for every member to discover
> > universal
> > > > > > > theosophy by himself so that, by living according to its
> > > > teachings, he
> > > > > > > or she may realize the theosophical state of consciousness.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Pablo D. Sender
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The Theosophist, Dec. 2007
> > > > > > > http://pasender.tripod.com/ <http://pasender.tripod.com/>
> > <http://pasender.tripod.com/ <http://pasender.tripod.com/>>
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > References
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [i] Collected Writings, vol. II, p. 88, `What is Theosophy?'
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [ii] Ibid., XI, p. 258.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [iii] Ibid., XIII, p. 285, `Knowledge Comes in Visions'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [iv] Ibid., II, p. 88, `What is Theosophy?'
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [v] Ibid., XIII, p. 285, `Knowledge Comes in Visions'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [vi] Ibid., VII, p. 169, `The Original Programme Manuscript'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [vii] Ibid., IX, p. 244, `Letter from H. P. Blavatsky to the
> > > Second
> > > > > > > American Convention'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [viii] The Key to Theosophy, Conclusion, `The Future of the
> > > > > > > Theosophical Society'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [ix] CW, vol. VII, p. 169, `The Original Programme
> Manuscript'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [x] Ibid., IX, pp. 243-4, `Letter from H. P. Blavatsky to the
> > > Second
> > > > > > > American Convention'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [xi] The Key to Theosophy, Conclusion, `The Future of the
> > > > > > > Theosophical Society'.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > > > >
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