Theos-Talk Archives (February 2010 Message tt00138)

I love the line about knowledge in the wrong hands.  I remember when I  
wrote my first book and someone asked me if I were worried about it falling 
into  the wrong hands and I answered with a laugh, "Nah, the wrong hands wrote 
the  book!"
 
I will never forget the look on poor Willamay Pym's face when I said  that.
 
Chuck the Heretic
 
www.charlescosimano.com  

 
In a message dated 2/12/2010 5:51:21 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
silva_cass@yahoo.com writes:

 
 
 
Morten,
Look what happened - those that joined the esoteric group soon  began to 
have their own ideas - and hence the breakaway.  Theosophy in  its infancy 
needed to be spread to the wider community, one could only do that  by 
introducing an esoteric section that delved into the deep and hidden  teachings.  As 
I said it seemed as though some of those students began to  think that they 
knew more than their teachers and the inevitable outcome of  that was that 
theosophy became diluted or altered which would have defeated  the purpose 
of the esoteric section.  As they say, a little knowledge in  the wrong hands!

Perhaps they learnt that the theosophical message  challenged their own 
personal beliefs, and rather than change those beliefs,  twisted them to fit in 
or be accomodated by their own personal belief system.  You can take a 
horse to water, but you can't make it drink_, as they  say.

Cass

>
>From: Morten Nymann Olesen <




_ (http://www.charlescosimano.com/) _global-theosophy@global-thgl_ 
(mailto:global-theosophy@stofanet.dk) _>
>To: _ (http://www.charlescosimano.com/) _theos-talk@yahoogrotheos-t_ 
(mailto:theos-talk@yahoogroups.com) 
>Sent: Sat, 13 February, 2010  3:53:38 AM
>Subject: Re: Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back  to its 
original lines!
>
>  
>Dear Cass and  friends
>
>I hold your view to be against the esoterical  theosophical teachings - 
and so does H. P. Blavatsky in her Esoteric papers as  far as I can tell. 
>The Masters have had groups for many years where  they only allow certain 
members to participate.
>Various Chelas have  also had groups where only certain members are 
allowed.
>
>Are you  saying that H. P. Blavatsky was wrong when she and the others 
kicked Charles  Sotheran out of the Theosophical Society?
>Are you also saying that H.  P. Blavatsky was wrong when she kicked Mabel 
Collins out of her Esoteric  Section and refused to accept everyone in her 
Esoteric  Section?
>
>Let me seek to explain  why...
>
>1.
>H. P. Blavatsky said in her Esoteric Section  papers:
>"Having omitted, however, the usual precautions of the  probationary 
period, I have but myself to thank; and therefore, it is but just  that I should 
also be myself the first to suffer for it at the hands of the  inexorable 
Karmic law. For this, ironclad as I have been made by daily and  almost hourly 
unjust attacks, I would have cared but very little; but that  which I 
deplore the mostââwith a bitterness few of you will ever realizeââis  the fact 
that such a number of thoroughly earnest, good, and sincere men and  women 
should be made to suffer for the guilt of the few. For, though but a  fault 
of omission on my part, still that guilt, as I feel, is due to my  neglect. 
Behold! my Karma appeared as a warning almost from the beginning of  the E.S."
>...
>"I had started well. Several of those whom I knew  to be entirely unfitted 
to take the pledge have been refused from the first;  but I proved unable 
to withstand their prayers when certain of them declared  to me that it was 
their âlast chance in life.â The âpledge feverâ made short  work of their 
promises. One broke her vows only four days after signing her  pledge, 
becoming guilty of the blackest treachery and disloyalty to her HIGHER  SELF. And 
when I could no longer keep in the E.S. either herself or her  friend, the 
two convulsed the whole Society with their calumnies and  falsehoods. Then it 
was that the old wondering query, âHow is it that âpoor  H.P.B.,â 
notwithstanding the Masters at her back, and her own insight, is so  evidently 
unable to know her friends from her foes?â ran once more the round  of 
theosophical circles, both here and in America.
>Brothers, if you  will judge from appearances, and from the worldly 
standpoint, you are right;  but if you take the trouble of looking into the inner 
causes producing outward  results, you will find that you are decidedly in 
the wrong. That you should no  longer do me injustice, let me explain what I  
mean."
>.......
>"[And now I sincerely hope that you willââsome of  you, at leastââlearn 
a lesson from my weakness, and show your appreciation of  this by not 
judging me too unkindly if I now change somewhat my policy. For I  have to either 
do so, or to drop the Esoteric teachings altogether, for those  at any rate, 
who will disagree with this arrangement. To avoid repeating the  mistake, 
this is what I propose doing. Each Paper will be sent as it was  hitherto, 
only it will appear as a Supplement to the Ethics and teachings  which will 
impart the rules of Discipline and the laws of Discipleship, as in  the case 
of all Probationers. ] Those who accept the new arrangement will have  to 
study the latter, or they cannot receive any more teachings from me. For,  as 
saith the Book of Discipline in the Schools of Dzyan:
>
>âSpeak  not the mysteries to the common vulgar, nor to the casual friend, 
or new  disciple. With prudent eye to the possible consequences, keep locked 
within  your breast the teachings received, until you find a listener who 
will  understand your words and sympathize with your aspirations.â
>This does  not mean that you are at liberty to repeat what you have 
learned to anyone  whom you believe to answer _that description, but that you can 
exchange views  with your co-disciples who are pledged as you are yourself."
>_ (http://www.charlescosimano.com/) _http://www.katinkah_ 
(http://www.katinkah/)  esselink. net/blavatsky/ articles/  v12/y1890_ 055.htm
>
>2.
>H. P. Blavatsky said in her  Esoteric Section papers:
>"The Masters can give but little assistance to  a Body not thoroughly 
united in purpose and feeling, and which breaks its  first fundamental ruleââ
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 âelectâ 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 aloneââi.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 
themselvesââthat 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."
>.......
>"As  to the relations of the Masters to this Section, it may be further 
said,  paradoxically, that with Them everything is possible and everything  
impossible. They may or may not communicate personally on the outer plane with 
 a member, and those who are continually wishing to receive âordersâ or  
communications directly from Them on this plane, either phenomenally or  
otherwise, will in all probability be disappointed. The Masters have no desire  
to prove Their power or give âtestsâ to anyone whatever. And the fact that 
a  member has concluded that a crisis of some kind or other is at hand, 
when,  according to his wise opinion, the Master or M_asters ought to speak and  
interfere personally, is no sound reason for such an outward interference.  
"
>_ (http://www.charlescosimano.com/) _http://www.katinkah_ 
(http://www.katinkah/) _ esselink. net/blavatsky/ articles/  v12/y1890_ 052.htm
>
>3.
>H. P. Blavatsky said in her  Esoteric Section papers:
>"NOTICE
>Members of the E.S.T. receiving  this Instruction will understand from its 
receipt that they have passed out of  the First Probationary Degree of the 
E. S. T. into the Second Probationary  Degree. The students in the Second 
Degree must not discuss this Instruction  with anyone still in the First 
Degree; they must remain absolutely silent upon  it, except to such persons as 
may be notified to them as belonging to the  Second or Third Degrees by Annie 
Besant or William Q. Judge. Any breach of  this rule of silence will be an 
absolute bar to receiving any further  Instructions. "
>_ (http://www.charlescosimano.com/) _http://www.katinkah_ 
(http://www.katinkah/)  esselink. net/blavatsky/ articles/  v12/y1890_ 057.htm
>
>Do you think that the Masters would reveal  all their teachings to the 
vulgar when in a group among the  chelas?
>
>M. Sufilight
>
>----- Original Message  ----- 
>From: Cass Silva 
>To: theos-talk@yahoogro ups.com  
>Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 1:13 AM
>Subject: Re:  Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back to its 
original  lines!
>
>No, on the contrary Morten, I don't believe in any elite  group being set 
up within an organization as this promotes division of its  members into the 
'blessed' and the 'unclean'. I have no problem with study  groups formed 
around esoteric ideas but these should be open to  all.
>
>Cass
>
>>
>>From: Morten Nymann  Olesen <global-theosophy@ stofanet. dk>
>>To:  theos-talk@yahoogro ups.com
>>Sent: Fri, 12 February, 2010 3:02:36  AM
>>Subject: Re: Theos-World Bring the Theosophical Society back to  its 
original lines!
>>
>> 
>>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'intuition'<WBR>. Each is really  useless to the ordinary wo/man.
>>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@yahoogro ups.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@yahoogro ups.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.charlescosimano.com/) _http://www.katinkah_ 
(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  colleag_ues 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
>>>>
>>>>[Non-text portions of this  message have been  removed]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>Send  instant messages to your online friends _ 
(http://www.charlescosimano.com/) _http://au.messenger_ (http://au.messenger/) _ .yahoo.com  
>>>
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>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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