Theos-Talk Archives (July 2009 Message tt00053)

We read the pledge differently.  Your inherent distrust of HPB causes you to see in her writings subterfuge.  Blavatsky stresses many times that "blind obedience does not help soul's growth."  You need only read The Key to Theosophy to know this.  So then you see contradiction.  I can only say if you are not reading this with distrust in your heart for a fellow theosophist, you can read it to show that the only thing HPB was trying to do was to get theosophists up off their hands and doing active work - this is not contradiction.

Chelas are given the most difficult challenges to follow.  They are told to do certain tasks by their Masters, but it is how they go about doing it that shows their true nature.  The fact that they are asked to do something is not problematic, it is how they go about doing it that is important, not the ends, but the means.  This is theosophy.  For the dugpa, the ends justify the means - not for the Theosophist, for the Theosophist it is all about the means.

In a similar way but to a much lesser extent, I suspect these orders are based upon the model of orders given by Master to Chela.  People have to challenge themselves, and if they are hesitant to do so, sometimes they might need a little push in the right direction.  The right push might make all the difference in the world to that ES member.

However, if you distrust the Master, don't enter into the relationship to begin with, not that you would ever be asked.

Robert Bruce

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anand" <AnandGholap@...> wrote:
>
> Although pledge is made to obey the commands of the Outer Head of the ES,
> practically ES members tend to obey commands of the local ES officer. It appears to me from the draft of the pledge that the pledge will benefit the organization more than the individuals ES member. It appears that Blavatsky's motive was mainly to help TS organization by getting obedient workers who would run it. Does blind obedience help soul's growth? No. In Theosophical literature it is written many times in different words that blind obedience does not help soul's growth.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "robert_b_macd" <robert.b.macdonald@> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > Dear Anand,
> > 
> > Any pledge would be from the lower self to the higher self (or God if you are so inclined -- "So help me God") seeking assistance in performing some task.  As the higher self is not temporally limited, the assistance will work over lifetimes until the aspirant succeeds, or the alternative, cuts himself off from his higher self (ususally through a fall into intense selfishness and black magic).
> > 
> > With reference to clause 2, I read it as saying that the ES member is seeking to have the moral courage to stand up for the TS and its members when they are attacked. This is very difficult for many people, it is much easier to critcize others.  Therefore, the Head of the ES is added to the clause and given the power to tell ES Members to stand up for others when by nature (habits of the lower self) they may not be inclined to do so.  Brothers stand up for one another.  This is a Society of Brotherhood.  The one power the ES Head is given is to order members to act brotherly and stand up for one another.  In time this will become part of their nature, and this power would not have to be exercised by the Head of the ES any further.
> > 
> > We read clause 2 differently.  Certainly if I were making such a pledge today to a chela of the Masters, I would have the matter clarified before taking the pledge.  If I was not happy with the explanation, I wouldn't take it.
> > 
> > Again, to further explain, the pledge is a set of moral rules that the ES Member will try to live by.  He is asking the help of his higher self in this matter, and in one instance he is asking for further help from the Head of the ES to help him follow a particular clause in the pledge.  If there was any confusion on this matter, you need only clarify it with HPB before taking the pledge.  If you did not like the answer then refuse to take it.  Your interpretation is totally unrestricted, mine is restricted to the clause in which it was found.  If I were writing the pledge and wanted to give the pledge the interpretation that you favour, I would have given a command to follow the Head of the ES its very own clause so there would be no confusion on the matter.
> > 
> > We both agree that if the Head of the ES is not a Master or one of his chelas, we would not be making this pledge anyways.
> > 
> > Robert Bruce
> > 
> > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anand" <AnandGholap@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Dear Robert,
> > > I had sent this message earlier. Have you read it?
> > > ---------------------------------------------------------
> > > I think I should further elaborate the text of the pledge, because there are
> > > some more important points.
> > > In entire pledge, the word Higher Self comes only once at the end of the pledge.
> > > Here is the exact sentence.
> > > "So help me, my Higher Self."
> > > Here me means Lower Self.
> > > In other words, "So help me (Lower Self), my Higher Self."
> > > That means Lower Self is making a pledge to follow the Head of ES and in that
> > > decision, Lower Self is asking the Higher Self to confirm the decision of Lower
> > > Self. Here, Lower Self is also requesting the Higher Self that the Higher Self
> > > would help, in future, in carrying out commands of the Head of ES.
> > > Suppose the Higher Self agrees to the request of the Lower Self and confirms the
> > > decision, then it means that both Lower Self and the Higher Self will be obeying
> > > the commands of the Head of ES.
> > > In this pledge, if we interpret the text of the pledge correctly, there is
> > > nothing which says that Lower Self should obey the commands of the Higher Self.
> > > According to the text of this pledge, Lower Self is not obliged to follow the
> > > commands or wishes of the Higher Self. Rather, Lower Self is making Higher Self
> > > to join itself, so that both would obey the commands of the Head of the ES.
> > > I wonder if this kind of pledge will help or harm an ES member.
> > > 
> > > Best
> > > Anand Gholap
> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anand" <AnandGholap@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Dear Robert and All,
> > > > I think I should further elaborate the text of the pledge, because there are some more important points.
> > > > In entire pledge, the word Higher Self comes only once at the end of the pledge. Here is the exact sentence.
> > > > "So help me, my Higher Self."
> > > > Here me means Lower Self.
> > > > In other words, "So help me (Lower Self),  my Higher Self."
> > > > That means Lower Self is making a pledge to follow the Head of ES and in that decision, Lower Self is asking the Higher Self to confirm the decision of Lower Self. Here, Lower Self is also requesting the Higher Self that the Higher Self would help, in future, in carrying out commands of the Head of ES. 
> > > > Suppose the Higher Self agrees to the request of the Lower Self and confirms the decision, then it means that both Lower Self and the Higher Self will be obeying the commands of the Head of ES. 
> > > > In this pledge, if we interpret the text of the pledge correctly, there is nothing which says that Lower Self should obey the commands of the Higher Self. According to the text of this pledge, Lower Self is not obliged to follow the commands or wishes of the Higher Self. Rather, Lower Self is making Higher Self to join itself, so that both would obey the commands of the Head of the ES.
> > > > I wonder if this kind of pledge will help or harm an ES member.
> > > > 
> > > > Best
> > > > Anand Gholap
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "robert_b_macd" <robert.b.macdonald@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > 
> > > > > Anand, thanks for bringing this to my attention.
> > > > > 
> > > > > It seems we both agree that the second rule: " 2. I pledge myself to support, before the world, the Theosophical movement, it's leaders and it's members; and in particular to obey, without cavil or delay, the orders of the Head of the Esoteric Section in all that concerns my relation with the Theosophical movement." is problematic.
> > > > > 
> > > > > If we read the sentence carefully, something should become quite apparent about the structure of this sentence.  The first part up to the semi-colon is identical with what is found in Blavatsky's CW Vol XII.  The first part is outlining the relationship between the member of the ES and the outside world, how he is supposed to defend the good name of the Society and his fellow members of the TS.  The second part appears to be a sloppy adjunct that does not even make sense.  It starts "and in particular" leading the reader to think we are going to learn how to defend Society and colleagues in some particular fashion.  Instead we read about the relationship between the ES Member and the Head of the ES as regards the relation between the member and the Movement.  The first part of the sentence deals again with the ES Member and defending against non-theosophists, his colleagues and his Society; the second part claims to be a particular instance of the first part, but is in fact a pledge of blind obedience between the ES Member and ES Head as regards the Theosophical Movement.
> > > > > 
> > > > > The second part makes the ES Head a potential political force.  It must be remembered that Olcott never trusted the ES.  He and Blavatsky were at odds with its formation.  Had this clause been included in the pledge, a pledge that Olcott would have been familiar with, he would never have agreed to the formation of the ES in the first place.  It think it follows that unless I am missing something, it is extremely unlikely that this was the pledge that Blavatsky had members swear to.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Daniel should be made aware of this.  I am sure if he had read it carefully, he would never have presented this version of the pledge on his website.
> > > > > 
> > > > > Good observation Anand.
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Anand" <AnandGholap@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The pledge,  as it was taken during the time of Blavatsky, by the candidates while joining the Esoteric Section of the TS, is already uploaded by Daniel and perhaps more people on the web sites. As it is no more secrete, I am copying it here. Source: http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/espage1.htm
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > The main contradiction, which I see in this pledge, is although pledge is made to the Higher Self, the other rule demands "Obedience to the Head of the Esoteric Section in all Theosophical matters."
> > > > > > Question can be asked whether a person should listen to the voice of his own Higher Self, or whether he should listen to the commands of the Head of the Esoteric Section. 
> > > > > > If the Head of the Esoteric Section is not a disciple and clairvoyant, how will he know the inner occult condition of a pupil in the Esoteric School? 
> > > > > > If the Head does not know pupil's condition, how can pupil trust his inner life to this Head by obeying commands of the Head of the ES?
> > > > > > Below is the pledge as drafted by Blavatsky.
> > > > > > ----------------------------------------------------------
> > > > > > The Esoteric Section of the T.S.
> > > > > > Dear
> > > > > > I forward herewith a copy of the Rules and Pledge for Probationers of the Esoteric Section of the T.S.
> > > > > > Should you be unable to accept them, I request that you will return this to me without delay.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Rules of the Esoteric Section (Probationary)  of the Theosophical Society.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > 1. No person shall belong to the Esoteric Section who is not already a Fellow of the Theosophical Society.
> > > > > > 2. Application for membership in the Esoteric Section must be accompanied by a copy of the Pledge hereto appended, written out and signed by the Candidate, who thereupon enters upon a special period of probation, which commences from the date of his signature.
> > > > > > 3. All members shall be approved by the Head of the Section.
> > > > > > 4. He who enters the Esoteric Section is as one "newly born"; his past---unless connected with crime, social or political, in which case he cannot be accepted--- shall be regarded as never having had existence in respect of blame for actions committed.
> > > > > > 5. Groups of Theosophists belonging to the Esoteric Section may be formed under a charter from the Head of the Section.
> > > > > > 6. Any member joining the Section expressly agrees, without reservation, Clause II of the Pledge.
> > > > > > 7. To preserve the unity of the Section, any person joining it expressly agrees that he shall be expelled, and the fact of his expulsion made public to all members of the Section, should he violate any one of the three following conditions:-
> > > > > > (a) Obedience to the Head of the Section in all Theosophical matters.
> > > > > > (b) The Secrecy of the Signs and Passwords.
> > > > > > (c) The Secrecy of the documents of the Section, and any communication from any Initiate of any degree, unless absolved from such secrecy by the Head of the Section.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Pledge of Probationers in the Esoteric Section of the T.S.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 1. I pledge myself to endeavor to make Theosophy a living power in my life.
> > > > > > 2. I pledge myself to support, before the world, the Theosophical movement, it's leaders and it's members; and in particular to obey, without cavil or delay, the orders of the Head of the Esoteric Section in all that concerns my relation with the Theosophical movement.
> > > > > > 3. I pledge myself never to listen, without protest, to any evil think spoken of a brother Theosophist, and to abstain from condemning others.
> > > > > > 4. I pledge myself to maintain a constant struggle against my lower nature, and to be charitable to the weakness of others.
> > > > > > 5. I pledge myself to do all in my power, by study and otherwise, to fit myself to help and teach others.
> > > > > > 6. I pledge myself to give what support I can to Theosophical movement, in time, money, and work.
> > > > > > 7. I pledge myself to preserve inviolable secrecy as regards signs and passwords of the Section and all confidential documents.
> > > > > > So help me, my Higher Self.
> > > > > >  
> > > > > > Signed..............................
> > > > > >  
> > > > > >  
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>