Theos-Talk Archives (April 1996 Message tl01348)

JRC writes,

> Fact is, we have *no* idea why the Adepts choose
> some people and not others for "personal training". Do you mean to say
> you actually understand the *standards by which their choices are made*?!!!


Yes ! <gasp, gasp, choke>

HPB left a whole bunch of articles describing what was needed to make even
the FIRST STEPS OF APPROACH to the Masters.  I assume you have seen her
articles on "Mahatmas and Chelas" etc.  If not, RUN, don't walk, to the
nearest collection of HPB articles.

>  From all accounts, the spiritual kingdom, when it chooses to
> interact directly with the human kingdom, does not do so for the purpose
> of enlightening a few humans who might be "ready", but does so in a very
> project-specific way;

This is an interesting theory -- I'm all ears.  What are your reasons for
believing this?  Honestly, I'm willing to hear you out on this.  But at this
point, it seems you have entirely missed the main thrust of HPB's work.  She
dedicated it "FOR THE FEW."

>  HPB did operate with free will. She ran her own ES, and she set
> the criteria for those *she wanted to teach*. And its questionable as to
> whether she formed it to "staunch the tide and try to turn it around", as
> it was a singular failure if that was its intention.


Why is the ES suddently HPB's "free will," while the T.S. is the work of her
Masters?  Come on !  Besides which, HPB wrote in black and white what the ES
was formed was to do.  Let me quote so there is no room for equivocation:

"The Theosophical Society had just entered upon the fourteenth year of its
existence; and if it had accomplished great, one may almost say stupdendous,
results on the exoteric and utilitarian plane, it had proved a dead failure
on all those points which rank foremost among the objects of its original
establishment .... [lots of examples] ... For this reason it was decided to
gather the 'elect' of the T.S. and to call them to action.  It is only by a
select group of brave souls, a handful of determined men and women hungry for
genuine spiritual development and the acquirement of soul-wisdom, that the
Theosophical Society at large can be brought back to its original lines."

Therefore I don't think it is questionable what her intentions were.  As to
whether it was a failure -- I think we each find our own answer for that.

>  It was HPB's requirements. And those chosen by HPB were not
> necessarily chosen by the "Masters" ... whose criteria seem far wider.
> *Edison*, for instance, a FTS, who was, according to the ML, "a good deal
> protected by M.", was *not* following the "spiritual-intellectual"
> approach,

Edison was a member of the ES, and we have the signed diploma to prove it.

Why do you assert that HPB could choose people without the Master's approval?
 Do you think that in such an important matter as who was to lead the occult
work of the TS HPB just kind of did her own thing, while the Masters were
busy elsewhere?

It is certainly possible that many, many people have the proection of the
Masters, whether in or out of the TS let alone the ES.  What does that prove?
My point is that HPB formed the ES at the EXPLICIT direction of her Teachers,
and students were guided by Them through HPB.  If you don't care to believe
it, so what?

>  Certainly deluded by your standards. But your standards are not
> those of the Masters.


And how do you know that?  For all you know I could be the Maha-chohan
Himself, or the lowliest pip-squeak of a neophyte.  Why is it that you
condemn me for making value judgments based on the writings of HPB and the
Masters, and yet presume to judge me and my level of attainment?  Why, I
could be a Black Magician -- how could you know?

>  Perhaps after you've lived a few more years, withstood a good
> deal more of suffering and involved yourself in the lives of "poor orphan
> humanity", you'll understand that those Three Objects, and especially the
> First,

More judgment from JRC.  What is your basis for such condescencion toward me
-- that I don't live up to *your* standards?  But you are making your *own*
standards, and I am trying to grasp what the Masters and HPB have said.  If I
am inaccurate in so doing, by all means point it out.  But your AD HOMINEM
tone really doesn't help "wake up" the people you may be trying to reach.