Theos-Talk Archives (September 1995 Message tl00667)

Mikhail:

>1. How can you describe middle portrait of modern theosophyst:

(Note spelling: "theosophist".)

> Which class he belongs to? (middle, high or low)

I don't think that the typical Theosophical Society member is from a
particular economic class. There have been wealthy members and those
that cannot even affort the membership dues. I'd expect there are
slightly less members among the poorest people, because it's hard to
belong, buy books, travel to attend meetings, etc., if one is without
money, and perhaps having to work two jobs in order to keep the
family fed.

> How old is he? (young, middle age)

The typical Adyar T.S. member is in the late 30's or early 40's.
A large percentage of the membership fails to renew, and drops out
within the first few years.

> What about education (social science, technic or ?)

People from all backgrounds are attracted. The same is true of
members of our list. We have educators, computer specialists, librarians,
historians, homemakers, authors, college students, etc., all interested.
The call of the spiritual quest is not limited to a particular line of
work or role in outer life; we all feel the call, regardless of outer
circumstances.

>2. In your mind what about relation young people to theosophy?

An interest can be felt at any age in life. It's up to a person's individual
karma when in life that person opens up to a higher life. We do as much good
in attracting a 70-year-old to the Philosophy as a 15-year-old.

The particular way that Theosophy has been presented may tend to appeal to
people at a certain stage in life, perhaps in their 30's and 40's, but there
is nothing wrong with that.

It might be possible to change our approach and attract an interest in younger
people. This does not necessarily mean that we'll reach more people. The same
20-year-old that we attract today may be the 40-year-old that we attract 20
years from now.

Some theosophists are working on new and different ways to present the
Philosophy to appeal to younger people. That work is useful to do. For myself,
I would not want to specialize my writings and presentations of Theosophy
in that particular way.

>3. I ask, because it not clear for me how widely and powerful
> this movement now or during last 100 yers?

It's hard to tell its effects, because some work is in sowing seeds that may
not germinate for several lifetimes. Some work is not immediately to be seen.
Also, the work is not exclusive, the Masters work through whatever organizations
and people that are useful.

> HPB gave a lot for westman but what about results?

They are hard to measure, although it is possible to give names of important
people who were influenced by her writings, the real impact of what she did
is behind the scenes.

> Ideas must work for more and more people if they alive or

There are many basic ideas that are working their way into public thought,
like reincarnation and karma. Over time, more and more eastern ideas will
win public acceptance.

> should the Secret goverment in Shambala must do everythig for us?

There is no "secret government," because the Mahatmas do not attempt to
rule things. They are more like college professors or gurus than like
lawmakers or politicians. And they cannot do things for us, only inspire
us in different ways, and offer educational and spiritual assistence.

>On my country example there was great peak of theosopy interest in
>Gorbachev's times, when power of communist ideology was destroyed.

Her books do appeal to the desire of people to think for themselves; they
appeal to intellectual freedom.

>In first HPB books standed accesseble for ordinary people.

Or to the right of every person to freely think, independent of what the
state or church would dictate to us.

>Later during capitalist invasion people much more thinking about everyday
>needs then about secret knowledges but all who wanted received neccesary
>knowledges for futher inside development.

It's easy to become caught up in the pursuit of material things, especially
when new opportunities to prosper and get rich are available. Suffering and
poverty provide easier circumstances to contemplate the spiritual. Rich or
poor, though, we still can feel an inner calling and look for higher things.

>And second aspect for
>Russions/Ukr. Now we can shoose literature according own interests.
>It good time and I very glad that in own 37 I reach it.

It's a wonderful time when we can read books and think for ourselves. We
have to work to preserve this freedom, even in America, where there are some
political forces to censor and restrict the right to free speech.

-- Eldon Tucker