Theos-Talk Archives (August 1997 Message tl00060)

At 11:32 AM 8/2/97 -0400, Jerry Schueler wrote:

>heaven when we die.  This misguided reasoning is also found in Hinduism 
>and in Theosophy where the idea is that if we are "good theosophists" and 
>are ethical, we will have good karma, and have a better life next time
>around,
>and be well on the path of chelaship.  This is well-intended, but
>misguided.

   The above may be the "belief" of some Theosophists, but in Hinduism the
idea of "be well on the path of chelaship" is not prevalent. It may be an
offshoot of the modern Theosophical Movement.

   ....doss

>
>I agree with you that we have a downward flow in the order of Love->
>Compassion->Ethics.  HPB, Judge, and many others suggest that by
>forcing ethics, we will be able to rise to compassion, and then to love as
>you have defined it.  I would suggest that it just doesn't work that way.
>Tibetan Buddhism, for example, has techniques with which we can
>develop compassion.  They emphasize ethics, but never imply that
>morality is an end-all in itself.  Most occult schools distaste the sickly-
>sweet theosophical emphasis on ethics because ethics should come
>naturally, and not be forced.  When you suggest to a Seeker of Truth
>that s/he should begin by developing ethics, and a strong sense of
>right and wrong, then that person feels forced to construct and follow
>a set of ethical behaviors, and misses the forest for the trees.  Rather,
>we should develop compassion, and let ethics take care of itself.
>
>What you say above, is exactly what I have been saying on theos-l
>since its inception--that we need to work on universal love and compassion
>and let ethics develop naturally all by itself.  If we care for another
>person,
>chances are high that we will act ethcially with that person, without
>thought of reward, and without thought for whether we are right or wrong.
>
>Jerry S.
>Member, TI
>