Theos-Talk Archives (July 2009 Message tt00075)

Yes. The links says the following:
"19th century esotericism is seen by some as completely secularised. Alchemy, magic, astrology and other elements of traditional esotericism had been thoroughly integrated with aspects of modern culture, including the search for causal laws, evolutionism, psychology and the study of religions. It reached its clearest form in the ideas of Helena Blavatsky, a Russian medium who founded the Theosophical Society with Henry Olcott in New York in 1875. The Society aimed to fuse elements of Eastern and Western traditions in an evolutionary type of spiritualism. It had three main aims:
  1. "To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, caste or colour.
  2. "To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science.
  3. "To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in man."

  - - -

  Someone might want to throw an e-mail to the Vatican telling them, that the above is not entirely true.

  The three main aims as they were formulated in the Constitutions just before H. P. Blavatsky died was:

  "The objects of the Theosophical Society are: First. - To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. Second. - To promote the study of Aryan and other Eastern literatures, religions, philosophies and sciences, and to demonstrate their importance to Humanity. Third. - To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the psychic powers latent in man. " 
  (The Theosophist - January 1891)

  - - -

  Further one aught to realize that the original aims when The Theosophical Society was formed had the following somewhat different words, which the Vatican presumably dislikes and therefore omits in its official Internet article:

  "The objects of the society are, to collect and diffuse a knowledge of the laws which govern the universe."
  ...
  "Preamble of the T.S.

    Dated October 30, 1875; reprinted in The Theosophical Forum, September 1947, pp. 515-18
  The title of the Theosophical Society explains the objects and desires of its founders: they seek "to obtain knowledge of the nature and attributes of the Supreme Power and of the higher spirits by the aid of physical processes." In other words, they hope, that by going deeper than modern science has hitherto done, into the esoteric philosophies of ancient times, they may be enabled to obtain, for themselves and other investigators, proof of the existence of an "Unseen Universe," the nature of its inhabitants, if such there be, and the laws which govern them and their relations with mankind.

  Whatever may be the private opinions of its members, the society has no dogmas to enforce, no creed to disseminate. It is formed neither as a Spiritualistic schism, nor to serve as the foe or friend of any sectarian or philosophic body. Its only axiom is the omnipotence of truth, its only creed a profession of unqualified devotion to its discovery and propagation. In considering the qualifications of applicants for membership, it knows neither race, sex, color, country nor creed.

  That all the members of a society should acquire an equal degree of knowledge within the same period of time is not to be expected. Knowledge is always progressive, and proportional to natural capability and susceptibility to intellectual impression. Even the most intelligent and the most perseveringly studious must labor in order to obtain or attain. To all, however, are alike indispensable, rectitude of principle and conduct, and love of truth and wisdom. No student can win his diploma without undertaking a long course of study and proving a good character; and every handicraftsman has to serve his apprenticeship before he can be journeyman or master. So theosophy, which claims to teach the vital points of science and art, exacts from its adepts an assiduity of purpose, a catholicity of mind, an unselfish devotion, an unflinching courage and perseverance, and a purity of life and thought commensurate with the nature of their self-imposed task, before admitting them into the arcana of nature, and intrusting them with powers not shared by meaner souls.

  The founders of the Theosophical Society begin their work with a solemn conviction of its importance. They do not undervalue the difficulties, intrinsic and extrinsic, of the task. Their work is that which the Spiritualists have neglected, the Materialists have not attempted, and the Theologians have misunderstood and undervalued. Starting with a hope, rather than a conviction, of the attainment of their desires, they are animated solely by an earnest purpose to learn the truth, wheresoever it may be found; and esteem no obstacles so serious, no pains so great, as to excuse them for relinquishing it.

  They look in vain to the Church for such evidence of immortality as will satisfy the exactions of a fearless reason; in vain to her opponents for an explanation of the preterhuman experiences of mankind, from the earliest periods. The Spiritualists, who profess to be in constant relations with the departed, are unable to agree upon a system of philosophy. Thus the longing of the race for a practical demonstration of its future existence goes unsatisfied; the laws of intercommunication between the visible and the invisible worlds are not accurately defined; and the problem of the two eternities which bound this life remains unsolved, despite a multitude of churches and academies." .......and more.......

  http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/gfkforum/ourdir.htm



  M. Sufilight says:
  So the emphasis upon Aryan and Eastern literature aught not to be rooted out just because the Vatican and its useful puppets have the aim to promote the idea.

  There is still today a great abyss between the Eastern doctrines on wisdom and the western ones on dogmas and blind beliefs. And this we will have to recognize. - Some have sought to build a bridge between them and calling such a teaching a Doctrine of the Heart. Others have tried to put their own versions forward. But a search after Truth can, we claim, never be based on a blind belief where rest of reason is promoted and the possible development of Wisdom is ignored. And the Wisdom Teachings operates through groups and organisations carrying various names and not only those who pride themselves by the use of the name "theosophical".  And we will know them on their fruits, whether they promote fanatical views or promote an honest search after the truth without multicultural religiously-related bigotry.




  M. Sufilight



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Anand 
  To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 9:21 AM
  Subject: Theos-World Roman Catholic Church on New Age/Theosophy





  I got this link just now. 
  http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html
  Best
  Anand Gholap



  

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