Theos-Talk Archives (October 2008 Message tt00109)

Let us all welcome Warwick Keys. He is the second GS to participate in theos
maillists (over the last decade); first one was Einar Adelsteinsson, who was
GS from Iceland, who unfortunately died in a swimming accident several years
ago.

While many talk about Internet all the time and how it should be used for
theosophy, they have been avoiding public discussions on the maillists and I
wondered for years if there is some unwritten understanding between veteran
GSs not to participate because (1) the lists are not "official" and (2)
unmoderated so they cannot control what goes on here.

Let me remind newbees that several years ago, Olcott tried a censored
(moderated) maillist and it failed miserably and is now history. So, once
again I am very optimistic that we all will have very productive discussions
and some good will come out of it.

Welcome again Warwick.

mkr



On Sat, Oct 4, 2008 at 3:43 PM, Warwick Keys <keyteach@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

>
> Dear Theosophists
>
> Beneath the surface of the present 'hooha' on the proposed changes to
> the TS international constitution of the Society is a basic principle, a
> principle which surely must be basic to modern theosophical thinking. It
> is the principle of democracy and democratic process.
>
> An objective outside obsever who has any knowledge and experience of
> organisational structures and democratic process can immediately discern
> that the TS rules are seriously flawed and follow a hierarchial
> Victorian line that allows for the possiblity of manipulation and
> autocratic control. The constitution is seriously out of date and
> certainly out of time now in the twenty-first century.
>
> Those members presently debating the pros and cons of the suggested
> changes are on the whole displaying an untheosophical lack of
> objectivity and discernment - both ways. Emotionally based tirades do
> nothing to further the progress of the Society or the advancement of
> theosophy - in fact they hinder the process.
>
> This is a time for cool heads, clear thinking and attunement to true
> theosophical understandings. Few of the contributors to the current
> discussions display much knowledge and/or experince of democratic
> organisation and process.
>
> I have around forty years such experience here in New Zealand - outside
> of the Theosophical Society. I have been involved in political activity
> at all levels from national politics to local governement at all levels.
> I also have been involved in the drawing up of constitutions for three
> or four incorporated societies.
>
> The present constitution of the Inernational Theosophical Society is
> seriously flawed when viewed objectively and with discerning eyes. It
> allows for an organised group within the Society to dominate the Society
> by 'constitutional' means, whether knowingly or unwittingly (although I
> think the latter is unlikely).
>
> If the Society is to make progess, and more importantly, if the
> promotion of the Theosophical teachings and the work of The Masters, is
> to move forward - instead of remaining stagnant, then one of the first
> moves has to be to free up the method of governance and bring the
> Society into line with progressive and positive modern organisational
> practice.
>
> Objective discussion, free from low emotion, is surely the expected norm
> for discussion in the Society. It is not always easy to find at present.
>
> Let the discerning Theosophists make their voices heard and let us heed
> the wisdom of Sophia and of the Fathers of Democracy.
>
> Fraternal greetings
>
> Warwick Keys
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  
>


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