Theos-Talk Archives (May 2011 Message tt00136)

Dear friends and Daniel

My views are:

Yes interesting fellow this Mr. Alvin.
But, let me say it clearly: I dislike this book, because of its tendency to run away from the truth.

I am one of those who find the following by old Alvin to at least half a lie:
"Though the Theosophical Society is recent, theosophy, in the sense of an esoteric philosophic mystic system of religious thought, must be ranked as one of the most ancient traditions. It is not a mere cult, in the sense of being the expression of a quite specialized form of devotion, practice, or theory, propagated by a small group. It is a summation and synthesis of many cults of all times."
http://pc93.tripod.com/tsphyraw.htm

M. Sufilight says:
The Theosophical Society was founded to be NON-SECTERIAN from its beginning - and its constitution and rules from that period clearly emphasized this. And one can say, that it slowly deteriorated since 1891 and in fact operated as a Messiah cult in 1911-1929, and since 1914 or so as a Messiah-political cult - and this perhaps even until today, -- although some will only allow 1929 to be the demarcation-line. Because the non-secterian and non-political content in its Constitutions and Rules was removed almost completely since then by those in charge(!) or at least half-way through.

But, these are of course just my views. Other Seekers might have different views.
But I find that I can document my views - and have done so before here on Theos-talk.
Let those who oppose this view in the name of compassion come forward or remain silent - as if in consent.

Try also Wikipedia on "Sociological classifications of religious movements"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classifications_of_cults_and_new_religious_movements

Or the following, where some of the problems no doubt can be detected:
Cult Tactics & Mind Control - B.I.T.E. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3FO0pAj528


And Alvin also says:
"Among major movements that paved the way for Theosophy, the one perhaps most directly conducive to it is Spiritualism, for the founder of the Theosophical Society began her career in the Spiritualistic ranks."
http://pc93.tripod.com/tsphyraw.htm

M. Sufilight says:
I find this to be quite unfair - and a very westernized view - towards an very learned and no doubt very intelligent person, whom in the Mahatma letter to H. S. Olcott from 1888 was pictured as the chief agent of the Masters on European soil for the last 30 years before that time. (See The S.S. Shannon Letter of 1888 from Koot Hoomi ) And unfair towards a woman who claimed to have been clairvoyant since very young in her childhood, and who visitied India in 1868 or before that time.

But, I guess historians also have their place in history. Let us just hope it is not in the annals of the narrowminded.

- - -
As Master said in one of the Mathatma Letters about the civil servant A. O. Hume's sometimes very stranges ideas :
"This is preposterously ridiculous: if he publishes what I read, I will have H.P.B. or Djual Khool deny the whole thing; as I cannot permit our sacred philosophy to be so disfigured. He says that people will not accept the whole truth; that unless we humour them with a hope that there may be a "loving Father and creator of all in heaven" our philosophy will be rejected a priori. In such a case the less such idiots hear of our doctrines the better for both. If they do not want the whole truth and nothing but the truth, they are welcome. But never will they find us -- (at any rate) -- compromising with, and pandering to public prejudices. (See LETTER No. LIV, 1882)

And Alvin also says:
"It is the belief of Theosophists that he was expressly chosen by the Mahatmas to share with Madame Blavatsky the honor and the labor of spreading her message in the world. A passage from the Mahatma Letters puts this in clear light. The Master K.H. there says:"
http://pc93.tripod.com/tsphyraw.htm

M. Sufilight says:
No it was not. It was a hypotesis, that needed verification or perhaps a knowledge among some of the members. Because the Society had the following rule in its Constitution in 1891: "No Fellow, Officer, or Council of the Theosophical Society, or of any Section or Branch thereof, shall promulgate or maintain any doctrinas being that advanced, or advocated by the Society. " (And this view was also forwarded in other formulations as early as 1879 in the Theosophist.)

And Alvin also says:
"An official linking of the two bodies was formally made in May, 1878, and the title of the Theosophical Society was amended to "The Theosophical Society of the Arya Samaj." 

M. Sufilight says:
No it was not. And it can be proven by papers from that time.


And Alvin also says:
"Theosophical Society with an alleged association of perfected individuals. It put the Theosophical Society squarely on record as an organization, not merely for the purpose of eclectic research, but standing for the promulgation of a body of basic truths of an esoteric sort and arrogating to itself a position of unique eminence in a spiritual world order."

M. Sufilight says:
A false claim. Now, here our well-read historical writer Mr. Alvin completely loose his head.
The main idea was to search for the truth and the meaning of life based on Altruism (the first and primary aim of the Society) and to let each member forward his or her individual views - all this despite differing views.

And there are more of the same, as far as I am concerned.



M. Sufilight




  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Daniel 
  To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, May 30, 2011 9:48 PM
  Subject: theos-talk Theosophy: A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom


    
  A very good introduction & overview to Madame Blavatsky,
  the Mahatmas, the Theosophical teachings, and
  the Theosophical Society & Movement is the
  book titled:

  Theosophy: A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom

  by Alvin Boyd Kuhn

  This work is online at:

  http://pc93.tripod.com/tsphyraw.htm

  A careful and thoughtful reading and study
  of this volume is highly recommended.

  Daniel
  Blavatsky Study Center / Blavatsky Archives
  http://blavatskyarchives.com
  http://blavatskystudycenter.com



  

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