Theos-Talk Archives (July 2009 Message tt00086)

Ok, this is going to get a bit off the wall sounding but it has been done  
in occult history.  Let us take the scenario that the internet goes down  
and stays down, as unlikely as it seems.  We have a method of communication  
that is virtually unstoppable--the old, reliable magic mirror.
 
Using the net as a good analogy to how it would work, you have a storage  
field, a big thoughtform if you will, that acts as the central server.  The  
mirrors are all linked to the server by the will of their operators.  So,  
whenever anyone wants to get a message out to one's fellow Theosophists, one  
need only meditate on the message and put it into his mirror.  It then goes 
 automatically to the server and out to everyone else through their  
mirrors.
 
Sounds weird?  Read the description of the Shrine Room HPB had built  in 
the London Lodge.  They were working with some interesting stuff back  then.
 
Chuck the Heretic
 
 
In a message dated 7/7/2009 8:45:41 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
robert.b.macdonald@hotmail.com writes:

 
 



A few more thoughts . . .

This discussion seems to be getting  hung up on the theory that a truly 
democratic Society would solve our  problems, or it is argued on the other hand 
that we do not even need a  Society, theosophy has been disseminated in the 
West, and we need only study  what we all have access to. It is argued that 
the internet can be the tie that  binds us all.

Theosophy does not exist in a vacuum, it is a reflection  of the world 
around us and we again are reflected into that world. Chuck  pointed out one of 
the deeper truths, that being, knowledge gets reflected  into the ether and 
then over time is reflected back into us, informing us all.  I have often 
thought, that if the TS could discover a new way to govern  itself, then 
perhaps this would signal that the world is on the verge of doing  the same. 
Theosophy was introduced to the West in order to lead thought in new  directions 
and have that thought evolve our institutions. In order to do that  we 
don't have to be noticed by everyone, if Chuck is right, as soon as we  change 
that will seed the crystal, if you like, of change all around  us.

Cass has brought up the whole issue of autonomy. Right now, if you  are not 
surrounded by a like minded group of theosophists who are going to  allow 
you to develop along lines you feel are right, the best thing to do is  study 
alone, and perhaps interact with others half-way around the globe on the  
internet and do the best you can in these spiritually dark times. Who can  
argue with that? We are talking about change here and it certainly does not  
seem like people, theosophists included, are open to real change.

On  the other hand Anand is suggesting that a true democracy will solve all 
of our  problems. Democracy is the silver bullet that will slay the beast 
of  totalitarianism. But what is it and how is it going to work? Some say 
that the  TS began as the most democratic of institutions but look at it now. 
If India,  Pakistan, and other developing Nations are allowed to achieve 
economic power,  then they will learn that democracy is no protection. Ask any 
educated  individual from the West about democracy, and if they think about 
it for even  a few moments, they will have to admit that in any election they 
have ever  voted in, they invariably have voted for the individual that 
they have  disliked the least. Populist leaders like Obama are rare, and when 
they do  achieve power their voting records are no less corrupt than all the 
rest. It  is not enough to claim that democracy is the panacea, we need to 
know the  details.

How can a Society remain democratic when it invariably has to  struggle 
with an uneducated and apathetic electorate. Who in this group knew  anything 
about the by-laws of the Society to which they belong before this  last 
election? Those who do not belong to the Adyar Society, who among you  know 
anything about your Societies' bylaws now? Democracy is nothing without  an 
informed and engaged electorate. The problem is not about re-instituting  
democracy, it is about re-inventing the electorate, how do you do that? Again,  the 
answer Cass gives seems to be ringing loud now, you wait until they are  
born. But what if they are out there now, waiting for a form of government  
that will inform them and engage them. What would the nature of that  
government be? Change has never come before the idea, how could  it?

What happens if governments take the internet away tomorrow, or  limit it 
in such ways that you dare not speak your mind or relate to others of  
similar mind? Then where will the TS be? We will be stuck with a TS leadership  
that is probably a reflection of the government leaders that took away the  
internet or we will be totally autonomous reading and studying theosophy under 
 a dim lamp in a dark basement. The governments will still be democratic, 
you  can either vote for this tool of the unseen power or that tool of the 
unseen  power. 

I suspect it is important that theosophists think about these  questions, 
because if we can figure them out, perhaps humanity would be ready  to follow.

Robert Bruce 





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