Theos-Talk Archives (August 2011 Message tt00048)

Dear MKR and all readers

My views are:

Yes.
And these words by you reminded me of the following words by H. P. Blavatsky who was a co-founder of the Theosophical Society - with regard to the words "theosophy", "theosophical" or "untheosophical".

THE ORIGINAL PROGRAME of THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY written by H. P. Blavatsky
"The words âuntheosophicalâ and âunbrotherlyâ are ever ringing in our ears; yet, truly theosophical acts and words are not to be found in too unreasonable a superabundance among those who use the reproof the oftener. However insignificant, and however limited the line of good deeds, the latter will have always more weight than empty and vainglorious talk, and will be theosophy whereas theories without any practical realisation are at best philosophy. Theosophy is an all-embracing Science; many are the ways leading to it, as numerous in fact as its definitions, which began by the sublime, during the day of Ammonius Saccas, and ended by the ridiculousâin Websterâs Dictionary. There is no reason why our critics should claim the right for themselves alone to know what is theosophy and to define it. There were theosophists and Theosophical Schools for the last 2,000 years, from Plato down to the mediaeval Alchemists, who knew the value of the term, it may be supposed. Therefore, when we are told that âthe question for consideration is not whether the Theosophical Society is doing good, but whether it is doing that kind of good which is entitled to the name of Theosophyââwe turn round and ask: âAnd who is to be the judge in this mooted question?â We have heard of one of the greatest Theosophists who ever lived, who assured his audience that whosoever gave a cup of cold water to a little one in his (Theosophyâs) name, would have a greater reward than all the learned Scribes and Pharisees. âWoe to the world because of offences!â
Belief in the Masters was never made an article of faith in the T.S. But for its Founders, the commands received from Them when it was established have ever been sacred. And this is what one of them wrote in a letter preserved to this day:
âTheosophy must not represent merely a collection of moral verities, a bundle of metaphysical Ethics epitomized in theoretical dissertations. Theosophy must be made practical, and has, therefore, to be disencumbered of useless discussion . . . It has to find objective expression in an all-embracing code of life thoroughly impregnated with its spiritâthe spirit of mutual tolerance, charity and love. Its followers have to set the example of a firmly outlined and as firmly applied morality before they get the right to point out, even in a spirit of kindness, the absence of a like ethic Unity and singleness of purpose in other associations and individuals. As said beforeâno Theosophist should blame a brother whether within or outside of the association, throw slur upon his actions or denounce him * lest he should himself lose the right of being considered a theosophist. Ever turn away your gaze from the imperfections of your neighbour and centre rather your attention upon your own shortcomings in order to correct them and become wiser . . . Show not the disparity between claim and action in another man butâwhether he be brother or neighbourârather help him in his arduous walk in life . . . The problem of true theosophy and its great mission is the working out of clear, unequivocal conceptions of ethic ideas and duties which would satisfy most and best the altruistic and right feeling in us; and the modelling of these conceptions for their adaptation into such forms of daily life where they may be applied with most equitableness . . . . Such is the common work in view for all who are willing to act on these principles. It is a laborious task and will require strenuous and persevering exertion, but it must lead you insensibly to progress and leave no room for any selfish aspirations outside the limits traced . . . . . Do not indulge in unbrotherly comparisons between the task accomplished by yourself and the work left undone by your neighbour or brother, in the field of Theosophy, as none is held to weed out a larger plot of ground than his strength and capacity will permit him . . . Do not be too severe on the merits or demerits of one who seeks admission among your ranks, as the truth about the actual state of the inner man can only be known to, and dealt with justly by KARMA alone. Even the simple presence amidst you of a well-intentioned and sympathising individual may help

ââââââââââ
* It is in consequence of this letter that Art. XII was adopted in Rules and a fear of lacking the charity prescribed, that led so often to neglect its enforcement.
ââââââââââ



you magnetically . . . You are the Free-workers on the Domain of Truth, and as such, must leave no obstructions on the paths leading to it.â . . . [The letter closes with the following lines which have now become quite plain, as they give the key to the whole situation] . . . âThe degrees of success or failure are the landmark we shall have to follow, as they will constitute the barriers placed with your own hands between yourselves and those whom you have asked to be your teachers. The nearer your approach to the goal contemplatedâthe shorter the distance between the student and the Master. . . .â

A complete answer is thus found in the above lines to the paper framed by the two Theosophists. Those who are now inclined to repudiate the Hand that traced it and feel ready to turn their backs upon the whole Past and the original programme of the T.S. are at liberty to do so. The Theosophical body is neither a Church nor a Sect and every individual opinion is entitled to a hearing. A Theosophist may progress and develop, and his views may outgrow those of the Founders, grow larger and broader in every direction, without for all that abandoning the fundamental soil upon which they were born and nurtured. It is only he who changes diametrically his opinions from one day to another and shifts his devotional views from white to blackâwho can be hardly trusted in his remarks and actions. But surely, this can never be the case of the two Theosophists who have now been answered . . .

Meanwhile, peace and fraternal good-will to all.
H. P. BLAVATSKY,
Corres. Secty T.S. 
Ostende, Oct. 3rd., 1886"
(Blavatsky's Collected Writings, Vol. VII, p. 168-171 --- http://www.katinkahesselink.net/blavatsky/articles/v7/yxxxx_019.htm)


I do hope, this will help settle the issue, so that the present changed views given in the The Theosophical Society's constitution (given by adding the following "Declarations of the Theosophical Society" http://www.teozofija.info/Teozofsko_gibanje/Declarations.htm and the early deletion of Article XIII in the 1890 Constitution)  will be - rolled back - for the sake of the original non-secterian and non-Church behaviour of the Theosophical Society.
No change and no effort in such a direction is of course also an answer to the above views on the Original Programe of the Theosophical Society given by H. P. Blavatsky and one of those whom Blavatsky called a Master.

Just a few views of my own given for consideration and with the aim of compassion.
I might be in error. I so I would suggest, that the readers and especially TS Members and their administrative leaders would be kind to forward their views on this central International forum named Theos-talk.



M. Sufilight

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MKR 
  To: theos-talk 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3:22 PM
  Subject: theos-talk On the Watch Tower (from The Theosophist) On-line


    
  Now, at least âOn the Watch Towerâ segment of the Theosophist is online at
  www.ts-adyar.org website. The Watch Tower from August 2011 is now online and
  it is a welcome news.

  In it, there is a discussion of the word theosophy and it has been pointed
  out that in the Mahatma Letters, it appears only seven times. This is
  important because, there are many honest and sincere adherents with fixed
  ideas about theosophy just like fixed ideas in religions. With fixed ideas,
  you run into the problem of believers and non-believers and in
  organizational matters, this plays great significance.

  In closing sentence of the Watch Tower, the International President says:

  It is very important that we realize that
  the work of the Society is to establish a
  Universal Brotherhood, not to proclaim
  what is Theosophy.

  You can read the full item at:

  <
  http://ts-adyar.org/sites/default/files/pdf/Theosophist/Theosophist%202011/August%202011/Watch%20Tower.pdf
  >

  Many who have been active on Internet have noticed that over the past more
  than a decade, TS and its leaders world-wide, for whatever reason, seems to
  have avoided taking advantage of Internet as an effective tool to
  communicate with members and public. (If HPB were to be alive today, we
  would have seen constant release of writings on Internet on varied topics.)

  TS/Theosophy was known to be pioneer in the early days and it is a pity that
  we have been missing the boat. Fortunately, there are independent forums on
  the Internet run by individuals where those interested in theosophy
  congregate and discuss. However, if you visit any of them, you will never
  see any of the âorganizationalâ theosophists on them, which is very
  interesting and you can make your own guess why.

  MKR

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