Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00143)

Eldon:
>What do do after joining? This is the important question that comes
>up again and again. We can provide people with books and hold study
>classes but what do we really give them *to do*? They could become
>lodge presidents and hold classes for others but what if they are
>ready for more than reading books?
>
>When someone wants something more that person can come up with a
>self-devised approach to the Path. This is difficult though and
>not a likely thing. It's more likely that anyone doing so is simply
>"remembering" an approach taught them in a previous lifetime. More
>likely people will leave theosophical groups to find a teacher and
>practice.
>
>The techniques of theosophical groups are based upon teaching the
>basic philosophical ideas. The teachings stop short of actual
>spiritual practice and training and are theoretical. The highest
>person in a theosophical group may be a pundit but not a guru.
>If this is the goal of theosophical groups then they are successful.
>If we were to expect more of them then we could say that they
>fall short.
>
>The arrogance would come in I think when people active in
>theosophical groups would claim that *this is the highest there is*.
>That is when they claim that there are no higher practices training
>or approaches to the Path other than the study of books in theosophical
>lodges.

Eldon I find myself in full agreement with you here.

Eldon:
>The important question which you and many of us raise is:
>what do we give people to do when they've joined our theosophical
>groups? And how can we improve over what we currently offer?
>Let's move beyond potatoe-chip spirituality and see if we can
>cook up a full meal for people...

I would like to add "especially for those who are
members at large who must sink or swim entirely on their own."

Jerry S.
Member Theosophy international