Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl01083)

At 04:50 AM 4/25/96 -0400, you wrote:
>>>>>>>cut<<<<<(to keep string at reasonable length)

>I am beginning to get the idea that Theosophy to begin with was very
>piecemeal and evolved bit by bit over a period of time. Olcott says that when
>Isis was written neither he nor HPB were familiar with the later
>reincarnation theories that became part of Theosophy. They were writing their
>things in USA while Sinnet and Hume were doing their thing in India with the
>help of the Mahatmas. It seem to have been when they all met up that the
>teachings expanded into the SD type of affair. In USA it was phenomena that
>held Olcott's interest and HPB was at the centre of a lot of it and also
>publically busy argueing with many of their detractors. I get the impression
>that most of Isis and the SD were not written by the HPB that was Helena
>Blavatsky but her physical part was used by the adepts to write with. She
>herself did some bits but Olcott complains about the mess she made with her
>cut and paste method of writing.

Goodness knows she'd have loved a computer word processor! Anyone who "cuts
and pastes" does! But you know Bee I really think your analysis of "how it
was" is pretty near the mark (Not having been there we'll never actually
"know"). I myself, see a "gap" as it were between the motivations revealed
in "Isis" and in the various records of the earliest T.S. Meetings and what
went on later after the removal to India. It almost seems like a different
organization altogether. The earliest motivation and/or agenda of theosophy
was to introduce to the materialistic west certain ideas and principles that
had been long forgotten by western thinking. Theosophy certainly succeeded
in its informational purposes. I feel (and approve) that at least back then,
Theosophy got coopted for the purpose of giving the Indian people their
self-respect back and gaining Indian Independence from English domination.
This was Theosophy's primary success. But it's been accomplished. What is
there fore theosophy to do now? I feel that perhaps that's what groups like
Theos-L are to "figure out".

>Have you read what he had to say about her temper and that of your relatives
>in general? A stroppy lot by the sounds of it.
>
>
>   Bee Brown
>   Member TSNZ,Wanganui Branch.
>   Theos Int & L

Bee: I have the most wonderful ancient copy of "Old Diary Leaves" and I've
read it several times. Yes I've read what he says about her temper. She's
exactly like my Mother. As to the family, with Peter The Great and Ivan the
Terrible in it, what can you expect?
>