Theos-Talk Archives (March 1994 Message tl00016)

Hi Brenda,

This is a somewhat belated response to your message on Unkindness.

> Leadbeater is the most kind, gentle, patient, encouraging, thoughtful,
> loving, gracious teacher of theosophy that I have ever had.  I would
> place him next to Jesus in his endurance of criticism and personal
> injustice.  A favorite quote of mine that I memorized after reading is
> that we should try to be "perfectly impervious to any attempt on our
> dignified serenity."

The qualities of CWL that you have quoted above are also
acknowledged by Mr. Tillet, the author of the biography of CWL
called THE ELDER BROTHER which Jerry H-E and I were discussing.
Perhaps our discussion centered around the 'negatives' of CWL
but you are very right, CWL appears to have had several wonderful
qualities as well.

> Please put down your guns, bring your most compassionate thoughts to
> mind, and peacefully encourage the thoughts of brotherhood and
> religious ideals as he did in his writings.  If we approach this study
> with dignity we won't fall prey to the concept that the occult work is
> as easy as a "simple refusal to lie," as well as a dogmatic adherence
> to the other nine of the ten commandments.  It would mean as much to me
> if you said someone is guilty of swearing and can't be an initiate for
> this reason.  I doubt if Leadbeater ever said a harsh word about
> anybody.  Can you imagine the level of criticism aimed at him because
> he dared to be different and pursue knowledge of the inner realms for
> the purpose of sharing it with humanity, not for selfish purposes

(a)I admit that some of our exchanges have not been worded in a
loving or compassionate manner and that should change.

(b)I think everyone (HPB/AAB and others) agrees that even high
initiates (perhaps everyone below the rank of an Avatar) have their
personality faults when incarnated.  Certainly HPB/AAB/CWL all had
their share of negative personality traits, just as you and I and
others on this network do.  In my humble opinion (IMHO), it is ok
to discuss the personality traits (negative or positive) of CWL
provided it is done with a view towards learning lessons that such
a discussion might provide.  I believe in the 'law of reflection'.
If in my reading of THE ELDER BROTHER I feel struck most by CWL's
tendency to lie (for whatever reasons, whether to further the
overall esoteric interest or just for furthering personal gain at
the moment), then I am seeing a part of myself which I normally
donot see.  So all the negative comments that you are seeing
in my messages at least are really a reflection of my own
personality problems.  And yes, I have lied in the past under
certain circumstances (not to anyone connected with this network,
mind you!)  You will be doing me a favor by quoting relevant
portions from my messages where I might have used critical
language that offended you; your writing of this message is a
useful first step but please provide specifics next time, if
possible at all.

> If this is offensive
> to you, do you think you should continue in theosophical circles? They
> have never excluded members because of their literacy or literary
> skill.  All types of intellect are welcome, and the members themselves
> decided who are to be their leaders and teachers.  Even if a member
> doesn't become a major voice in theosophy, he has the right to speak
> out, defend, and give voice to that still small spark within.
> Leadbeater taught good solid truths and beautiful ideals, and I will
> always love and admire him and long to be like him, even at the cost of
> personal sacrifice in the way that "the world" might perceive me.  (I
> already see the "naive, irrational, and blinded" insults coming at me.)

I think all types of people can co-exist in theosophical circles,
including those who endeavor to research theosophy along
more academic lines but also including those that just want to
imbibe as much of theosophical teaching in their personal selves as
possible.  You can take the approach to only look for those portions
of the written teachings (or the messages on theos-listserv) which
appeal to you and ignore those that you find offensive.  Personally,
I am trying to detach myself from all teachers and look at the
teaching dispassionately, choosing to make it (i.e. any teaching)
a part of myself only if it elicits a favorable response within myself.
This presupposes an ability for DISCRIMINATION, and to tap the
intuitive capability, both of which are sometimes difficult to
practice.

I have not seen you post any passages from CWL's writings, and I myself
have read very few of his books.  Perhaps you can cite some lines from
CWL's writings which appeal to you so much that you want to be just
like him.

> If your concern is to bring the outer life in line with the inner life,
> perhaps this is worth working for, but at times it may be a decision of
> the masters to allow things to take place on the outer physical plane
> because the rewards may not be relative to the work involved.  They
> (the masters) have defended H.P.B.'s good name perhaps to a greater
> extent than they have for Leadbeater.  It isn't always possible to tell
> what the adepts have accomplished, only by looking at what has
> transpired, attempts have always been made to uphold H.P.B.'s character
> at all cost.  Is this what irks you? I would say it's instructive to
> see it done both ways: allowed to happen and revolted against.  I'm
> sorry I'm not always able to prove what I believe, but there is some
> basis to the way my thoughts have formed.  I have read some of the
> controversies and masters' thoughts and words.  And I have read
> Leadbeater's books which to me are the teachings that lead us to
> greatness.  They are very much like Jesus's teachings and embody the
> good solid moral qualities of life.  Don't try to shatter this by harsh
> words and scorn.  One of the books I am referring to is TALKS ON THE
> PATH OF OCCULTISM, with commentary by Leadbeater and Besant.

It appears that the Masters use anyone who is available for
use i.e. who can provide the right 'channel' through which
teaching can be 'poured'.  Witness for example the case of
Mabel Collins and the couple of books that were 'dictated'
to her even though she was an 'unconscious' receiver and did
have a number of personality problems.  I donot know if the
Master(s) used CWL as a channel or not, and I have not read TALKS...
to give any comment on that.

> I do think there are people worth revolting against and that at times a
> warlike attitude is necessary, but must we use "kicks in the teeth" to
> everyone studying theosophy? Perhaps your aim is to bring as many
> unloved human beings into theosophical circles as possible, that if we
> are unable to love someone we are in the process of learning a valuable
> lesson.  But couldn't it be possible that before the universal love
> becomes available to a human being that they be asked to lay down
> certain qualities which are inconsistent with altruism.  When a human
> being begins to learn peace and to halt anger and condemnation, isn't
> that the time when the love of the adepts flows out to encourage them
> onward? Doesn't anger and an unforgiving attitude mis-color our
> perceptions, too? Can't one be blinded by revenge?

I agree that we all need to 'learn peace and to halt anger
and condemnation' and strive for altruism.  One can indeed be blinded
by revenge but I thought I had passed that stage!  Do you see anger,
condemnation or revenge in my messages?  Once again, please show me
the specific lines and I'll try to correct myself.  Theos-listserver
can be a great learning tool for personality fault corrections if
each of us points us what he or she sees reflected in the messages!
I encourage you to examine my messages critically and send your
comments via theos-l or private e-mail.  Thanks!

> Do you feel that there is some justice missing in the outer world and
> work to bring about the justice as you feel it should be done? Not even
> a judge or jury is able to make a decision without enough facts.  Even
> if they have a limited number of facts and certainties, it may not be
> enough for them to decide "guilty or not guilty." They may have to
> throw the case out of court on the basis that there is not enough
> evidence.  If you prefer to be lawyer-like and insist on justice, maybe
> you should study the legal system as this might be an outlet for your
> longing to prosecute.  Why can't we just allow each person to judge for
> themselves and not speak so harshly of anyone's supposed shortcomings?
> I think you're going to meet many members of The Theosophical Society
> that you won't really like or ever understand what it is they are doing
> as a member.  So whether or not you understand The Secret Doctrine is
> inconsequential if you are unable to tolerate religious preference in
> the members.
>
IMHO, there is perfect justice in the world as I believe in
the Law of Karma.  It has never been my intent (at least not
consciously) to judge anyone, either on this network or elsewhere.
I have made observations about others and tried to analyse their
character/motives with a view towards learning to become a better
Server myself.

Perhaps the needs of this group (or at least your needs)  are better
met by just inspirational messages, with positive comments about
them.  In that spirit, I am quoting below the very first quote
("The True Server") from my favorite compilation from AAB bboks
called 'Serving Humanity': "The Master looks not at a worker's
wordly force or status, not at the numbers of people who are gathered
around his personality, but at the motives which prompt his activity
and at the effect of his influence upon his fellow men.  True service
is the spontaneous outflow of a loving heart and an intelligent mind;
it is the result of being in the right place and staying there; it is
produced by the inevitable inflow of spiritual force and not by
strenous physical activity; it is the effect of a man's being what
he truly is, a divine Son of God, and not by the studied effect of
his words or deeds.  A true server gathers around him those who it
is his duty to serve and aid by the force of his life and his
spiritualised personality, and not by his claims or loud speaking.
In self-forgetfulness he serves, in self-abnegation he walks the
earth, and he gives no thought to the magnitude or the reverse
of his accomplishment, and has no preconceived ideas as to his own
value or usefulness.  He lives, serves, works and influences,
asking nothing for the separated self." (A treatise on White Magic,
pp 188-189).

BTW, it is theorized in THE ELDER BROTHER that CWL had great
admiration for Alice Bailey (even though the outer TS was officially
condemning her).

In Love and Light,

Arvind