Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl00684)

Alexis wrote,

"As HPB regularly pointed out "Mediumship" is unconscious and
uncontrollable by the medium, whereas conscious psychism is a totally
controllable activity" this is the distinction she was trying to make. "


No, that's not it.  HPB makes many, many distinctions, and here two of them
are relevant.

She did indeed distinguish mediumship as passive and dangerous, but it's
opposite is not psychism, rather ADEPTSHIP.  Not "adept" as in "quite good as
something like music" but as in, "Mahatma."

The other distinction she made which is relevant here is to put down
psychism, time and time again, in favor of NOETIC experience.

Cf. HPB "Psychic and Noetic Action" in her collected Articles, available from
the Theosophy Co. L.A. in 3 vols.

Psychism is centered in the astral and kama manas, while noetic actio
involves the Ego, namely Buddhi-manas.  This is an old discussion and I won't
hash it out again here.

Suffice it to say that HPB's position is clear, and anyone is free to
disagree with her if they choose.