Theos-Talk Archives (August 2009 Message tt00181)

For all of my life, I have valued and lived by the Theosophical view of life taught me by my father, who was born into the Society at Adyar and was taught the Theosophical ways by his father before him. For many generations, one of the primary motivations of Theosophists was to form a nucleus of Universal Brotherhood. I remember the intense feelings, revelations and insights that this sense of brotherhood brought me, and have visited many Theosophical centers around the world over the 50 years of my life. 

Adyar, like Olcott, Tekels Park, Ojai, and other Theosophical places, has a magical quality unlike other places in the world. This magic has been brought not only by the beauty of the grounds, but the harmony of the ecosystem. Generations of people have lived as one with nature in fellowship, inside the domain of the tremendous energy that our forbearers were attuned to, and so now it is our turn. 

The Theosophical Society has endured major splits, controversies, innuendos and ill suited branding from many angles and different aspects throughout its long history. Most of this has served to bring the core of the Society together to work in harmony towards a universal cause. Yet today we find continuing bitterness, division, and outright falsehoods flying from members and staff of the society towards one another, towards the administration, and towards various leaders around the world. This division continues to manifest itself even though we are over a year removed from the recent contested elections. 

The members of these various factions may think they are doing the right thing, but in reality they are destroying our beloved Society. What young person would want to join a fractured organization that features 100 year old theories and continued public sniping on its web publications? What of the future of the Society? Who will continue doing the work that was bestowed on us from the Masters? We must understand the first impression of the potential student of Theosophy is probably through contact via the Internet, and this has been completely polluted by the continued bickering and posting of negative innuendos about fellow members. In my estimation, a person searching for meaning in their life, trying to find truth would be immediately dismissive of stepping into an environment such as is being created. As a pacifist would not jump into a boxing ring, neither would a seeker join a fractious group of discontented grumps. It is one thing to constructively discuss viewpoint that may differ regarding many of the central tenants of Theosophy, and it is entirely another to create an atmosphere of negativity and bitterness.

The factional leaders and their malcontented followers need to do one of two things. They must determine whether they can move forward, continue the contributions that they make towards the work of the Society, and live in the present. If they cannot do so, then they must resign as members and leave the Society and we as the sustaining members will continue the work with a new and more harmonious group of individuals dedicated to creating a nucleus of Universal Brotherhood. This continued animosity must stop for a future to be possible. The light is dimming and the darkness is enveloping us. Let us find a way forward together in harmony.