Theos-Talk Archives (October 1995 Message tl00617)

William Parrette writes:

WP
Well, it just so happens that a small group of
us have been getting together in Cincinnati on a monthly basis
and we have decided to start studying the booklet published by
the TS called _Introductory_Study_Course_in_Theosophy_ (Part I).
We got through Lesson 1 just fine -- no problems -- and, in fact,
had some interesting discussions.

JHE
 I have a copy of the 1968 correspondence course edition of
this course. It probably has differences from yours, since
Wheaton as a standard operating procedure makes changes in their
books and courses whenever they go into a new edition, whether
the original author is alive or not. For instance, the page
numbering on mine is completely different than from yours.
 You are studying a very fine course on neo-theosophy. It is
primarily based upon CWL's version of theosophy, though it gives
lip service to Blavatsky. You might notice that none of the
"References for supplementary reading" at the end of each lesson
mentions any of the source writings such as those by Blavatsky,
Judge or the Mahatma Letters. All of the books recommended are
by secondary writers who expound upon CWL, such as: Clara Codd,
Irving S. Cooper, the Laytons, E. Norman Pearson etc.
 The two diagrams are only related in that they describe
cycles. The first diagram describes the cyclic formation of the
solar planes, and is a modified version of the one originated by
Leadbeater and published in ~Man Visible and Invisible~,
originally published in 1903. The modification has to do with
the change of the names of the planes, which was done in 1911,
under Annie Besant's orders. I suggest that you get a copy of
this book and read Leadbeater's own explanation of this diagram.
 The second diagram may be original to this study guide, and
represents the evolution of the monad (or "soul" as they call it
here) from its spiritual beginnings; descending into matter where
it becomes a mineral; then vegetable; then animal; then human;
then an initiated human (a Mahatma); then a god; and finally
returning to its spiritual origin.

WP [regarding the two diagrams]
Once we started comparing the text of the Lesson to these two
diagrams, confusion set in and all kinds of questions started to
emerge. For example:

 * What is the correlation between the symbols and the termi-
nology used in Diagram 1? That is to say do the circular
symbols used at the top have some meaning with respect to
the terms related to the aspects and does the pipeline con-
taining the flowing line have some meaning with respect to
the terms related to the outpourings. And, is there any
meaning to the symbol that appears in the mental plane of
the third outpouring.

JHE
 The three symbols at the top represent the three aspects of
the Solar Logos which exists upon three planes. Unlike
Blavatsky, Leadbeater has an entity called a "Solar Logos" which
he defines as comparable to a Christian personal God.

WP
And, is there any
meaning to the symbol that appears in the mental plane of
the third outpouring.

JHE
 Yes. The triangle represents the triune nature of the Solar
Logos on the mental plane.

WP
* What is the meaning of the joining of the three outpourings
in the physical plane?

JHE
 That is the lowest plane which the Solar Logos operates.

WP
* Is there any meaning to the dashed versus the solid lines
contained within the outpourings? One goes from nadir to
zenith and then starts back up only to stop in the mental.
The other seems to only go in one direction and stops.

JHE
 Yes, but CWL explains this in some detail, and I suggest
that you go by his explanation.

WP
* Is there any specific meaning behind the three symbols used
at the top of the diagram which are labelled as the aspects?

JHE
 They represent the three aspects of the Solar Logos which
lives on three planes.

WP
* Is there any correlation between Diagram 1 and Diagram 2?

JHE
 As I had answered above.

WP
* What about all of the symbolism used in Diagram 2? The
flames? ... The sparks? ... The upside down solid triangle
(physical matter?) ... The right-side up hollow triangle?
(spirit?)

JHE
 The flames with the triangles represents the three elemental
kingdoms. The large triangle represents the Logos, which CWL has
a triune in nature. The upside down solid triangles represent
spirit trapped in matter.

JHE
 If you are interested in studying Neo-theosophy, then this
is a fine book, but please be warned that this study will create
confusion later on if you decide to study the core teachings
later on. This is because neo-theosophy operates off of the IMHO
false assumption that there is no conflict between the core
teachings and neo-theosophy.
 On the other hand, if you are interested in the core
teachings, then I would recommend Blavatsky's ~The Key to
Theosophy.~ Also, my wife and I and an associate created a video
and study guide entitled ~The Perennial Wisdom~ which is
available through Quest Books in Wheaton, or through Theosophical
University Press in Pasadena, or through us. Price is $24.95. It
is non technical, and I think, perfect for where you are at.

I hope this helps

Jerry HE

------------------------------------------|Jerry Hejka-Ekins
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