Theos-Talk Archives (December 1995 Message tl00253)

>From: M K Ramadoss <ramadoss@eden.com>
>Subject: Re: Practical Lessons/guidance & Thesosophy

Ruben:

Thanks for the fast response. The basic concern of mine is still the
exposure of TSA to potential heavy liability.

>From a lay man's point of view even if the disclaimer was signed
if a participant in one of the programs gets sick at a future date
a smart tenacious and expensive Chicago lawyer knowing the
deep pockets of TSA may chose to pin down liability on TSA
citing past theosophical writings/publications such as
the one's I cited. The lawyers defending TSA would do so with
great glee as they know they can generate a lot bills and TSA
has money in the bank to pay the bills. More litigation more bills.

It looks like this is something that needs to be investigated and
evaluated at the highest policy level and decisions made at the highest
levels. Please keep all of us informed on theos-l.

MK Ramadoss

On 14 199512 Theosophical Society wrote:

> Doss
>
> I personally am glad that you brought out this matter and I agree with you
> a hundred percent. But do you think that everybody will agree? And if we
> even give a suggestion or hint that it would be harmful if these practices
> are undertaken don't you think we might be accused of interferring with the
> members' freedom to study whatever they like? And later on be accused that
> we will be dictating to their choice of topics to study? Do you have any
> ideas how to solve this problem?
>
> Ruben
>
> ===========================================================
>
> > Glad you have the waiver form and I hope it does give good enough
> >protection to TSA from liability. I am not a lawyer and hence do not know
> >how much protection it provides.
> >
> > In this connection I am still bothered about TSA sponsoring
> >practical lessons. Following quotes are from Theosophical Classics which you
> >may recognize and be interested:
> >
> > I. "There are those who turn to pseudo-occultism for the attainment
> >of magical powers in order to gratify personal ambition. That path is full
> >of the most serious dangers. Sometimes such people sit in a passive
> >condition and invite unknown entities of the astral world to work upon their
> >auras and organisms and to adapt them to their purposes; sometimes they
> >practice various forms of hatha yoga consisting mainly of peculiar kinds of
> >breathing which have unfortunately been widely taught in the Western world
> >during the last thirty years or so. As a result of such proceedings mental
> >and bodily disorders of a serious character often arise while at best the
> >contact which is gained with the inner worlds seldom extends beyond lower
> >astral levels from which nothing can come that is uplifting to mankind."
> >This was written in 1926.
> >
> >
> > II. "The attainment of astral powers as an end in itself inevitably
> >leads to what is called in the East the "laukika" method of development: the
> >powers obtained are only for the present personality and there being no
> >safeguards the student is extremely likely to misuse them. To this class
> >belong the practices of Hatha Yoga pranayama or breath-control invocation
> >of elementals and all systems which involve in deadening the physical
> >senses in some way "actively" by drugs eg. bhang haschish etc. by
> >self-hypnotisation or among the dervishes by whirling in a mad dance of
> >religious fervor until vertigo and insensibility supervene; or passively by
> >being mesmerized -- so that the astral senses may come to the surface."
> >
> >
> >...MK Ramadoss
> >
> >At 010200 PM 12/14/95 -0800 you wrote:
> >>
> >>Doss
> >>
> >>Thanks for your information on the above topic. We have the following
> >>waiver or rather consent form for that purpose:
> >>
> >>=========================================================================
> >>
> >>INFORMATION AND CONSENT FORM
> >>
> >>Name................................................ Phone...............
> >>Address..................................................................
> >>City.................................. State...........Zip...............
> >>Do you have any physical ailment which would limit your practice of hatha
> >>Yoga?....................................................................
> >>If yes explain:.........................................................
> >>.........................................................................
> >>How long have you been practicing yoga?..................................
> >>What is your reason for practicing yoga?.................................
> >>We urge you to participate in each yoga position at your own comfort level
> >>and to discontinue any position or session as you choose.
> >>
> >>I hereby agree not to hold either the instructor or The Theosophical Society
> >>in America responsible for any injury which is incurred during any class.
> >>
> >>
> >>................... ...............................................
> >>Date Signature
> >>
> >>=========================================================================
> >>
> >>Happy Holidays!
> >>
> >>Ruben
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>

M K Ramadoss - ramadoss@eden.com
4203 Gardendale Suite 226 San Antonio TX 78229-3137
Phone & Fax 210 615-7373