Theos-Talk Archives (March 1995 Message tl00322)

I applaud Eldon's remarks, which recall one of HPB's statements
in the Letters to American Conventions, I think.  "Diversity of
opinion, within certain limits, keeps the TS a living and healthy
body." This is a paraphrase, but I think a close one.  What sort
of limits does HPB imply? I don't think it's how diverse the
opinions are, but rather how they are expressed.  Mutual respect
is a bottom line requirement; thus no expression of contempt for
others of differing views contributes anything helpful.  And yet,
such feelings keep coming up.

The karma of theos-l is to be a nucleus of brotherhood but also a
vortex of unbrotherly feelings from time to time.  How can we
achieve the former if we don't work through the latter? In one of
the Gnostic gospels, Jesus is quote as saying (again a
paraphrase) "if you don't bring forth what is within you, what is
within you will destroy you." Meaning, in this case, if we don't
face the unbrotherliness boiling in our hearts, all our
professions of working for Theosophy are just dust and ashes.
HPB also said in the same letters something akin to "united we
stand, divided we fall." But that unity and division, IMO have
little to do with doctrine and everything to do with the presence
or absence of mutual respect and forbearance.

Just some stray thoughts-- BTW, JRC-- a fine post.