Theos-Talk Archives (February 2010 Message tt00116)

Dear Cass

My views are:

So you agree with me, that a secretive Esoteric Group, which requires approval before membership or opportunity to be taught is achived, might be a helpful idea?

Some might consider the Secret Dcotrine to be a Bible. I would however say, that it is quite false to compare them to have anything in common since the Bible is turned into something infallible, whereas the Secret Doctrine never have claimed to be infallible or to be a Bible of any dead-letter or narrowminded dogmatic and fanatical interpretation.

As I see it, we also have to keep the following in mind...

The compassionate theosophist and the Sufi operates through the use of DESIGNs and MEASURINGs. Each teaching, book, lecture, e-mail etc. etc. is a DESIGN. After such a DESIGN has been presented, to the receiver(s) of it, the message, reacts on the individual in various ways. Depending on the reaction and the impact the message has or have - the Initiate or Initiates MEASURES the receiver(s). After a while a new DESIGN will be presented, maybe by another person or by other means. This teaching about DESIGN and MEASURING is ages old. HPB talked a bit about it. The Sufis are called the Designers, and sometimes also masons, i.e. the Eastern compassionate masons.

Taken from A CURRICULUM OF A SCHOOL
"Man has few alternatives in his search for truth. He may rely upon his
unaided intellect, and gamble that he is capable of perceiving truth or even
the way to truth. This is a poor, but an attractive, gamble. Or he can
gamble upon the claims of an individual or institution which claims to have
such a way. This gamble, too, is a poor one. Aside from a very few, wo/men
in general lack a sufficiently developed perception to tell them:"

1. Not to trust their own unaided mentation;

2. Who or what to trust.

"There are, in consequence, two main schools of thought in this matter. Some
say 'Follow your own promptings'; the other says: 'Trust this or that
intuition'. Each is really useless to the ordinary wo/man. Each will help
him use up his time."

"The bitter truth is that before man can know his own inadequacy, or the
competence of another man or institution, he must first learn something
which will enable him to perceive both. Note well that his perception itself
is a product of right study; not of instinct or emotional attraction to the
individual, nor yet of desiring to 'go it alone'. This is 'Learning How To
Learn."

"All this means, of course, that we are postulating here the need for
preparatory study before school work takes place. We deny that a man can
study and properly benefit from school work until he is equipped for it: any
more than a person can study space-navigation unless he has a grasp of
mathematics."

"This is not to say that a man (or a woman) cannot have a sensation of
truth. But the unorganized and fragmented mind which is most people's
heritage tends to distort the quality and quantity of this sensation,
leading to almost completely false conclusions about what can or should be
done."

"This is not to say, either, that man cannot take part in studies and
activities which impinge upon that portion of him which is connected with a
higher life and cognition. But the mere application of special techniques
[often to everyone, regardless of their current state and requirements] will
not transform that man's consciousness. It will only feed into, and
disturb, more or less permanently, centers of thought and feeling where it
does not belong. Thus it is that something which should be a blessing
becomes a curse. Sugar, shall we say, for a normal person is nutritionally
useful. To a diabetic, it can be poison."

"Therefore, before the techniques of study and development are made
available to the student, he must be enabled to profit by them in the
direction in which they are supposed to lead, not in short-term indulgence."

"Thus our curriculum takes two parts: the first is in the providing of
materials of a preparatory nature, in order to equip the individual to
become a student. The second is the development itself."

"If we, or anybody else, supply such study or preparatory material
prematurely, it will only operate on a lower level than it could. The result
will be harmless at best. At worst, it will condition, train, the mind of
the individual to think and behave in patterns which are nothing less than
automatic. In this latter way one can make what seem to be converts,
unwittingly play upon emotions, on lesser desires and the conditioning
propensity; train people to loyalty to individuals, found and maintain
institutions which seem more or less serious or constructive. But no real
progress towards knowledge of the human being and the other dimension in
which he partly lives will in fact be made... ... ...."

Taken partly from: "Learning How to Learn" by the Afghan sufi-author Idries
Shah

M. Sufilight

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cass Silva 
  To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:00 AM
  Subject: Re: Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back to its original lines!


    
  From what HPB said, we are given only what we can absorb and assimilate.  No point in giving us esoteric knowledge that we are not ready for.  The Secret Doctrine is not unlike the Bible in that it was written for both exoteric and esoteric students, so whatever level the reader is at, it provides guidance.

  Cass

  Cass

  >
  >From: Morten Nymann Olesen <global-theosophy@stofanet.dk>
  >To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
  >Sent: Thu, 11 February, 2010 2:58:47 AM
  >Subject: Re: Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back to its original lines!
  >
  >  
  >Dear Cass and friends
  >
  >My views are:
  >
  >A new Esoterical School might be necessary or a good and compassionate. Remember that we emply agents in various groups and organisations. But I find, that another Theosophical Society following the original lines would be a much better idea, - well provided that the present Theosophical Society is not able to show us that they still follow the original lines given by the Masters, and why their lines or program are better than the original one.
  >
  >Such a Knowledge is esoterical knowledge. And that kind of Knowledge is not, (so I have been told here at Theos-talk), officially claimed by the leaders Theosophical Society today. An example: Try to ask the Master whether they consider their Himalayan group to be an elite group. Do you think that the Masters Himalayan group will reveal all and everything esoterical to everyone?
  >
  >M. Sufilight
  >
  >----- Original Message ----- 
  >From: Cass Silva 
  >To: theos-talk@yahoogro ups.com 
  >Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 11:54 PM
  >Subject: Re: Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back to its original lines!
  >
  >I hope you are not suggesting that new esoteric schools be formed? What knowledge is so esoteric that it can now only be shared by an elite group?
  >
  >Cass
  >
  >>
  >>From: Morten Nymann Olesen <global-theosophy@ stofanet. dk>
  >>To: theos-talk@yahoogro ups.com
  >>Sent: Wed, 10 February, 2010 6:18:19 AM
  >>Subject: Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back to its original lines!
  >>
  >> 
  >>Dear friends
  >>
  >>My views are:
  >>
  >>Sometimes one would do well in reading the words given by H. P. Blavatsky
  >>about the reason for the formation of the Esoteric Section...
  >>
  >>H. P. Blavatsky said to the members of the Esoteric Section:
  >>"This degree of the Esoteric Section is probationary, and its general purpose is to prepare and fit the student for the study of practical occultism or Raj yoga. Therefore, in this degree, the student--save in exceptional cases--will not be taught how to produce physical phenomena, nor will any magical powers be allowed to develop in him; nor, if possessing such powers naturally, will he be permitted to exercise them before he has thoroughly mastered the knowledge of SELF, of the psycho-physiologica l processes (taking place on the occult plane) in the human body generally, and until he has in abeyance all his lower passions and his PERSONAL SELF.
  >>The real Head of the Esoteric Section is a Master, of whom H. P. Blavatsky is the mouthpiece for this Section. He is one of those Adepts referred to in theosophical literature, and concerned in the formation of the Theosophical Society. "
  >>. . . . . . .
  >>"The Theosophical Society has just entered upon the fourteenth year of its existence; and if it has accomplished great, one may almost say stupendous, results on the exoteric and utilitarian plane, it has proved a dead failure on all those points which rank foremost among the objects of its original establishment. Thus, as a "Universal Brotherhood, " or even as a fraternity, one among many, it has descended to the level of all those Societies whose pretensions are great, but whose names are simply masks,--nay, even SHAMS. Nor can the excuse be pleaded that it was led into such an undignified course owing to its having been
  >>impeded in its natural development, and almost extinguished, by reason of the conspiracies of its enemies openly begun in 1884. Because even before that date there never was that solidarity in the ranks of our Society which would not only enable it to resist all external attacks, but also make it possible for greater, wider, and more tangible help to be given to all its members by those who are always ready to give help when we are fit to receive it. When trouble arose, too many were quick to doubt and despair, and few indeed were they who had worked for the Cause and not for themselves. The attacks of the enemy have given the Society some discretion in the conduct of its external progress, but its real internal condition has not improved, and the members, in their efforts towards spiritual culture, still require that help which solidarity in the ranks can alone give them the right to ask. The Masters can give but little assistance to a Body not
  >thoroughly united in purpose and feeling, and which breaks its first fundamental rule--universal brotherly love, without distinction of race, creed or colour; nor to a Society, many members of which pass their lives in judging, condemning, and often reviling other members in a most untheosophical, not to say disgraceful, manner."
  >>. . . . . . .
  >>"For this reason it is now contemplated to gather the "elect" of the T.S. and to call them to action. It is only by a select group of brave souls, a handful of determined men and women hungry for genuine spiritual development and the acquirement of soul-wisdom, that the Theosophical Society at large can be brought back to its original lines. It is through an Esoteric Section alone--i.e., a group in which all the members, even if unacquainted with one another, work for each other, and by working for all work for themselves-- that the great Exoteric Society may be redeemed and made to realize that in union and harmony alone lie its strength and power. The object of this Section, then, is to help the future growth of the Theosophical Society as a whole in the true direction, by promoting brotherly union at least among the few.
  >>All know that this end was in view when the Society was established, and even in its mere unpledged ranks there was a possibility for development and knowledge, until it began to show want of real union; and now it must be saved from future dangers by the united aim, brotherly feeling, and constant exertions of the members of this Esoteric Section. Therefore, anyone who has signed the pledge without realizing this is earnestly recommended to reconsider his position, and to withdraw unless he is prepared to devote himself to the carrying out of this purpose. Once offered the grand example of practical altruism, of the noble lives of those who learn to master the great knowledge but to help others, and who strive to acquire powers but to place them at the service of their fellow-men, the whole theosophical community may yet be steered into action, and led to follow the example set before them.
  >>The Esoteric Section is thus "set apart" for the salvation of the whole Society, and its course from its first steps will be an arduous and uphill work for its members, though a great reward lies behind the many obstacles once they are overcome.
  >>http://www.katinkah esselink. net/blavatsky/ articles/ v7/yxxxx_ 019.htm
  >>
  >>M. Sufilight asks and comments:
  >>I ask your compassionate hearts as honest Seekers after Truth :
  >>
  >>Do you my dear readers understand that, the Esoteric Section was according to H. P. Blavatsky created in 1888 so that "the Theosophical Society at large can be brought back to its original lines"; the lines openly deviated from in 1884?
  >>
  >>Did this imply turning it towards a more or less blurred or openly declared political involvement à la A. O. Hume - National Congress of India? I would clearly say no, and no a thousand times!
  >>
  >>Did this imply asserting a Messiah in the flesh as the World Teacher of the Age (The Maitreya) as a dogma or propagandized doctrine to follow? I would clearly say no, and no a thousand times!
  >>
  >>Did this imply rejecting the view that "No Theosophist should be silent when he hears evil reports or slanders spread about the Society, or innocent persons, whether they be his colleagues or outsiders. " (The Key to the Theosophist, 2ed., 1890, p. 250)? I would clearly say no, and no a thousand times!
  >>
  >>Did it only imply this with reagard to physically present humans or did it also imply it with regard deceased ones? I would clearly say both issues count, because people not living in the physical are present in our universe!
  >>
  >>M. Sufilight
  >>
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  >>
  >>
  >>
  >
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