Theos-Talk Archives (October 2009 Message tt00055)

Looking Within is What is Needed

The Eastern Way of looking at spiritual matters is to look within for
problems and answers. More you look within and understand yourself, more
wise you are and more practical and effective you are.

I think this applies to organizations as well. TS is no exception. In their
wisdom, helped from advise from the Inner Founders, HSO & HPB & Judge set up
TS with full autonomy for the Sections and Lodges. This setup was not
arrived at on a whim. I think some very deep thoughts and wisdom went in.
The objective of HSO, who was President for life, was for TS to spread the
knowledge of theosophy far and wide so that men and women everywhere can
benefit by it. HSO did not intend to dictate to the members and Sections as
the President for Life.

The traditional businesses are setup with top down control and the level and
intensity of control varies with the organization. With TS we are dealing
with the lives of people and the intent was the knowledge that theosophy
provides, there would be individual transformation for the better - better
for everyone.

If you look at some of the discussions going on, you will notice many of
them are directed and deal with Adyar and International President. What is
missing is very simple. The future growth of TS and spread of theosophy. TS
does not function like Vatican, even though some subconsciously may believe
so. Growth depends on what we do at home.

Not much has been talked about the full autonomy of the Sections, even
though the Section leaders relish the power they have in the autonomy
provided by the TS. So long as the Sections do not violate any rules, they
are totally free to carry on their activities in any manner they decide and
not even the International President can interfere with it. Even the GC does
not have the power to remove the Section leader. This is to guarantee the
autonomy of the Sections so that no one outside can interfere - whether
other sections or a clique in the GC. This topic of the role of the
President in respect of the Sections and Lodges is well discussed even in
the Mahatma Letters. It looks like many may have forgotten it.

In the circumstances, it is time again to look at what is happening in many
of the Sections. One of the measures of the progress of TS is to see growth
in membership and lodges. The trend outside India is in a very sad shape.
Very few leaders, elders, scholars, historians discuss it because they do
not have a clue to what is going on. In many cases, they do not discuss it
because if they happen to be in leadership positions, it would reflect badly
on their performance. The trend in India shows a very steady growth with the
result it is the largest Section in the world. This confirms the Wisdom of
the Inner Founders to move TS from NY to India over a century ago.

Most country leaders find non significant outside issues to divert the
attention of the public. All the talk about Adyar and International
President falls into a similar category. So it is high time for all of us to
look into what is happening in our backyards - our lodges and Sections. And
see what we can do. This is what is going to yield results in terms of
spreading the knowledge of theosophy so that our brothers and sisters can
benefit and improve the well being of every one.

MKR

There is no religion higher than Truth


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