Theos-Talk Archives (July 1997 Message tl00278)

Anette,
I'm too bushed just now to answer your letter at length, and I think it
warrants careful answering. I want to tell you that I've been studying
Theosophy since 1963, even though I only joined in 1978. So I know quite a
good deal, of the Adyar type Theosophy, and will probably be able to answer
at least partly any question you might have. 

In this respect, I'm glad you're enjoying what's being written on Theos-l. I
just signed off from there. I happen to be a Leadbeater devotee, and people
keep on popping up on theos-l, who inisist on flaming Leadbeater. To me, he
was a Saint, and I have talked to some of his pupils who said the same
thing, and I don't in the least take stock of all the slanderous remarks
that keep on cropping up. I know certain people swear up & down that they're
true. I know as a fact that they're not, but it's not something I can prove.
I've tried that, and very conclusively, but the slanderers won't even
consider what I say. So I finally just signed off. I'll confine myself to
ts-l, which is, Leadbeater friendly. That's a prejudice I have. however, I
was the one who kept on saying on theos-l that we should open up the
discussion to all sorts of Theosophists. I think that would be nice, sure
would be different, and more productive than bickering. But they flame Alice
Baley devotees as well. I don't think Alice Bailey's teachings are as
profound as Leasdbeater's and Besant's and the miriad of writers who've
followed them during the past 120 years, but I wouldn't think of flaming
Bailey's writings or devotees. They're very devoted, and to rip into that
would only cause hurtful situations. I've been taught to be positive as much
as I can, because the subconscious doesn't differentiate between the nasty
things you say about yourself and/or somebody else. The subconscious just
reacts to something nasty or to something pleasant. Nasty statements hurt me
as much as the people I think I'm directing them to, so I try to refrain.
That's my kind of esoteric knowledge. Accentuate the positive.

The very fundamental thing of Theosophy is that you need to look at what we
have to offer, and then make up your own mind as to whatever has vibes
similar to your own, which you'd feel good about accepting. We say, at least
the very dyed in the wool Theosophists do, that reading about Theosophy
isn't enough, you need to digest what you read and be able to use it.
Learning formulas by heart isn't where it's at. Also, we do not ever ask
that you accept everything we present. To be a Theosophist the only thing
you must believe in is humanity, still expressed by Theosophists as "The
Brotherhood of Man", because we have a backward International President.

That for starters. More lateron.

Best wishes, happy search,

Liesel
.........................................................................

>Just to say quickly that I'm doing some research before further comment.
>
>I've read the last 20 or so TheosL Digests and have skimmed the Secret
>Doctrine, 4 Pamphlets of Articles, Introductory Study Course parts 1 and
>2 and am half way through T de Ch.  I'm in research, questioning and
>listening mode (again).  I hope you people do not mind me reading your
>conversations.  I find a lot of wisdom, homour and life-force type stuff
>in your communications and "watching" you debate the issues is helping
>me to understand more about life.
>I am not a member of any Theosophical Society and had to find out about
>it before I could say any more than before.  After all I did attack your
>organization, or at least the affects of it that I experienced through
>the actions of one person.  I predict that I am going to enter another
>period of revaluation of all that I thought I knew so well!  I am
>looking forward to it this time.  Partly because I don't have to "throw
>the baby out with the bath water", and because I'm learning how to be
>kind to myself in the process.  I now think that all my life I have been
>trying to make things "black or white", to make it easy for me, so I
>could say to myself "there, that explains that, now let's just get on
>and do it".  It seems to me now that part of a philosophy of life like
>that is the result of perceived competition for resources ( I'm just as
>good as and as important as you and deserve the same as you) and of fear
>of the unknown (I'm a child all alone in a complex world that I can't
>possibly understand all about so I must make myself the centre of that
>world in order to be safe).  The events of the past few weeks and your
>comments have really made an impact.  I see others grappling with the
>issues too.  Seeking a balance between everyday physical life and
>infinity and needing to feel comfortable in both.
>I hope that this thought will help free me finally from the confines of
>"time" and from "beating myself up" when I constantly appear to fail.
>In other words, now is definitely the time for me to "put my money where
>my mouth has been" and to start walking the talk.
>
>Peter is talking about leaving the TTS?  He will not tell me why.  I do
>not believe it was my actions lately that caused that.  At least I hope
>not!  He is mostly packed ready to leave, but I am going to call his
>bluff this time and encourage him to do whatever he feels is right for
>him.  His comment was that I should join the Society because I think
>naturally like its basic philosophy.  My comment, as you know, is that
>anyone seeking spirituality and the "truth" in conjunction with a basic
>respect for all life, will "naturally" think and act within the tenets
>of any philosophy that supports these things.  In my readings, I was
>surprised to read about what happened to HPB, but not surprised at all
>by all the organizational disappointments.  It has been obvious to me
>for a long time, and much of the basis of my belief in "energy", that
>certain people who are totally connected to something greater than
>normal express an energy and passion that manifests and causes change.
>When those people leave, their energy goes with them, and those left to
>carry on can only do what they manifest according to their stage along
>the path to the "truth".  This energy and passion can be enjoyed by all
>associated with the energy giver, but it does not "rub off" on others
>and it can only be replaced by others who have reached the same stage of
>development.  Hence, my self-deduced "religion" that:
>a) everyone has to reach this highly developed stage of spirituality by
>"coming to it" themselves rather than following some leader or doctrine,
>and this is the goal of our lives here, and
>b) until everyone reaches this level, and can maintain it within
>themselves without leadership or "blind faith" in some doctrine, the
>"truth" will not be achieved on this earth.
>
>What I have yet to figure out is how and whether the actions and
>writings of any who went before are relevant to this process, other than
>evidence of the process and interesting historical stuff, and whether
>they may, infact, be a "temptation" for us to stop our individual
>process and say that someone else found the "truth" and all we have to
>do is to follow it.  Have to digest the concept of Masters and Atlantis
>and all the other "wierd" stuff.  Until I reach the next level of
>understanding, I remain constant in my current thought that every person
>is born in and with the truth, with all the capabilities of
>understanding everything and that "life" is a process of rediscovery and
>acceptance.
>Must get back to work.  Will keep listening and I wish you all a good
>Summer and take care of yourselves.
>Annette.
>