Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl00952)

Thanks to Richard for a thought-provoking essay on why
Theosophists are so combative.  However, I'm not at all sure
that the people as individuals are in control of the group
patterns.  The same people in different contexts behave in
different ways.  It's out of character for me to beat the drum
insisting on a particular point of view, or challenge other
people's ideas in a confrontational way, or get into public
arguments.  Most anyone I know personally would say that I'm diplomatic,
non-confrontational, conciliatory, in discussing spiritual
matters, even controversial ones.  Yet on theos-l I have often
hardened into rigid defense of a position with which I was
identifying-- precisely because of the nature of the attacks on
said position.  And then ended up attacking someone else's
position because it was one from which I had been attacked.

My point is that I neither blame Theosophists as individuals
for being dogmatic and combative and unyielding, nor do I
credit them as spiritual pilgrims whose obnoxiousness proves
their elect status. (As Richard seems to do).  Instead, I see
an ingrained, longstanding pattern of opposition to change and
suspicion of anyone who advocates it, combined with frustration
and anger on the part of those who want change.  This is a
quality of the group, and will infect any individual who is
drawn into its karmic web.

It will be interesting to see what Radha has to say about
members' freedom and the unity of the society.  If it runs true
to form, her talk will ignore all the real issues involved in this
question, heap blame upon those who raise it, and avoid taking
any responsibility for resolving it.  But maybe it's too soon
to assume a cynical stance, since anyone-- according to K, who
should have some say in the matter-- is capable of
instantaneous, radical change of consciousness.