Theosophical Notes No. 6 Winter 2018-19

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Theosophical Notes No. 6 Winter 2018-19 Volume 2, Issue 2 (6) 17th February 2019 Winter 2018-19 Newsletter 17th February 2019 1 Theosophical Notes No. 6, Winter 2018-19 A home for commentaries & research on the Theosophical Movement There is one thing that should be remembered in the midst of all difficulties, and it is this—“When the lesson is learned, the necessity ceases.” Robert Crosbie, pupil of William Q Judge, ex-President of the Boston Theosophical Society, founder of the United Lodge of Theosophists Please circulate to friends and colleagues who may be interested Quarterly Newsletter from the ULT in London, UK and New York, USA. Winter 2018-19 Newsletter 17th February 2019 2 Editor’s note The aim of these Notes is to give the timeless Perennial Wisdom just as it was when released from its centuries of obscuration, and to show it can help in all departments of life, viz. science, philosophy & religion, or rather psychology. In times of change and difficulty it is natural to seek principles in which we can have confidence; so what can reliably guide us to live wisely and intelligently? Is it to feel a duty to our suffering neighbour? To free ourselves of hypocrisy and injustice? Relieving others of it by example? Reasonable and tolerant debates? A free judiciary and press? Are these not the deep-running strands of social fabric that hold society together on which we ultimately depend? But the inner Path shows these many civil ‘goods’ are consequences of just a few virtues, the paramitas of “The Voice of the Silence.” With them comes the willingness to bravely enter new spaces and deeper ideals, to actively fight for and cultivate balance, patience, and charity and begin a mental renewal. Page 17 looks at such principles, ones which Robert Crosbie applied in formulating an approach to Theosophy that has wide appeal and is faithful to the esoteric tradition. The ULT exists today due to his clarity of thought and love of TRUTH, the higher reaches of which are a universal panacea which soon diminish—if not immediately bridge—life’s chasms and hurdles. HPB’s dialogue with Abbe Roca shows how she built such bridges, and in Le Lotus she published all reasonable articles whether coming from “deists or materialists” if they were well thought-out and sincere. It is a great unity based on TRUTH, one forgetful of too personal feelings. (p. 15 Notes Summer 2018) She said editors and readers ignoring this rule barred themselves from all ideas of truth and justice! “Monitus es”—we are warned so we listen. Good reading! The Editors [email protected] Winter 2018-19 Newsletter 17th February 2019 3 Contents Editor’s note ..................................................................................... 2 Contents ........................................................................................... 3 The Newsletter ................................................................................. 3 Karma and “Acts of Omission and Commission” ............................... 4 “Spiritual But Not Religious” ............................................................. 9 Theosophical Prophecies: Ancient Flying Machines ......................... 10 Consciousness without Mind on the Plane of the Ah-hi ..................... 12 Book Review: The Divine Plan by Geoffrey Barborka ...................... 13 A Love for Clarity of Thought and Unity of Being ............................ 17 A Thousand Years Ago by Charles Leland ....................................... 18 Climate Change and an old Prediction about Trees ........................... 19 Feeling a Direction for the First Time ............................................... 20 Why Original Theosophy Matters to Researchers .......................... 21 Correspondence on Prophecies (Autumn 2018 p 10) ............................ 23 Medical Research on the Dangers of Mediumship ............................... 26 The Voice of the Silence and Other Books in Arabic ............................ 27 "Theosophy is for those who can think, or for those who can drive themselves to think, not mental sluggards!" H. P. Blavatsky The Newsletter A free magazine for those who have an interest in Theosophy and wish to understand its beneficent and educational place in the contemporary world. All material can be used freely under the ‘BY’ Creative Commons licence, which asks you to credit the source, link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. The Theosophy Company is not responsible for the individual opinions expressed in the Newsletter. Back numbers are available on www.theosophy- ult.org.uk/news For a free subscription by post, email the Editors [email protected] CC BY 4.0 ~ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence Winter 2018-19 Newsletter 17th February 2019 4 Karma and “Acts of Omission and Commission” KARMA is the law of action and reaction; cause and effect. The law of Karma adjusts every effect to its cause and restores the disturbed equilibrium in the physical world and broken harmony in the moral world. For each of our actions, at the level of thought, word and deed, we receive the consequences. All our actions, good or bad, are acts of commission. We are fairly familiar with this aspect of Karma. But there are also acts of omission. To “omit” means to “leave out,” or to “leave undone.” An act of omission is an action that is left undone, something which one ought to do. It may be one’s duty. Many a times we do not know the importance of performing tasks with care, which to us appear to be insignificant. Every little part in the machine is important for its smooth functioning, so also with human life. An incident in history shows that when a battle was lost, an inquiry was set up to find out the cause. The inquiry revealed that the battle was lost because the soldiers were discouraged, as the horse slipped, killing the General of the Army.1 And that because the horseshoe came off and that in turn was because the blacksmith had omitted to put in a nail. So, the saying goes that “the battle was lost for the want of a horseshoe nail.” A small act of omission brought disastrous result. No duty is insignificant, and at times we are unable to see instantly the effect of our efforts. Hence a Master of Wisdom writes “Ah! if your eyes were opened, you might see such a vista of potential blessings to yourselves and mankind lying in the germ of the present hour’s effort, as would fire with joy and zeal your souls!” So, let us watch for the small things in life. Let us not leave undone what should be done, nor do what should not be done; and more than anything, let us not do what is not necessary, for by doing the unnecessary we set in motion a new action which will not be harmonious. How often do we emphasize impersonality and forget H. P. Blavatsky’s injunction “to rather sin through exaggerated praise than through too little appreciation of one’s neighbour’s efforts.” (The Key to Theosophy, p. 250) 1 Over the centuries several variations of the “For Want of a Nail” tale have arisen due to its ever-popular and living truths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Want_of_a_Nail Winter 2018-19 Newsletter 17th February 2019 5 Many a budding writer or speaker has been put off from making further effort by the stony silence of others after his efforts, whereas genuine sympathy and encouragement might have been the very things he needed. Omitting to resist evil, could well prove to be an act of omission. A few years back a group of militants entered a school in a certain country and mercilessly gunned down about 150 students and teachers. In an article that appeared in The Speaking Tree, Sunday Times of India, an Islamic teacher, pointed out that according to a verse in the Quran, the killing of an innocent human being is like killing the entire human kind. He observed that militancy has been going on in that country for many years, but people of that country remained indifferent to it because they thought that the militants were targeting others. But in such matters one cannot remain indifferent. According to a Hadith2 when God commanded his angels to demolish a town in which people were engaged in evil acts, the angels reported that there was a person in the town who worshipped God daily, and God’s command was to demolish the town along with that person, “as he did not try to stop his people from doing evil deeds.” Indifference means indirect involvement, which in God’s eyes is as bad as direct involvement. “Inaction in a deed of mercy becomes an action in a deadly sin,” teaches the Voice of the Silence. We are held responsible for our acts, both of commission and omission. When we omit doing a merciful action, it becomes a “sin” of omission. We are told here a very profound truth regarding what constitutes unwholesome karma. Under the law of Karma, a morally wrong action is regarded as a sin that will bring bad results. But we incur sin also when we abstain from performing a morally right action. An act of omission in moral matters or when it comes to helping another is as punishable as an act of commission. But can we say that whenever we commit a deed of omission, we commit an act of sin? It is not true that an act of omission always becomes a sinful act. Even while helping another we are advised to exercise discrimination, and use wisdom. H.P.B. says that it takes a very wise man to do good without causing incalculable harm. A wise man knows whom to remove and whom to keep in the mire and pain, which is the best teacher for 2 Ḥadīth (Traditions) are taken as the records of the prophet Muhammad; as a source of religious law and moral guidance it ranks second only to Qur'an, the word of Allah. Hadith, Wikipedia Winter 2018-19 Newsletter 17th February 2019 6 that particular person.
Recommended publications
  • Universal Theosophy
    UNIVERSAL THEOSOPHY Talks given by Robert Crosbie The Cunningham Press, Alhambra, California, 1963 based on the scanned material curtsey of http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/AUNITHEO.htm “A man is said to be confirmed in spiritual knowledge when he forsaketh every desire which entereth into his heart, and of himself is happy and content in the Self through the Self. His mind is undisturbed in adversity; he is happy and contented in prosperity, and he is a stranger to anxiety, fear, and anger. Such a man is called a Muni. When in every condition he receives each event, whether favorable or unfavorable, with an equal mind which neither likes nor dislikes, his wisdom is established, and, having met good or evil, neither rejoiceth at the one nor is cast down by the other.” CONTENTS The Eternal Verities: The Foundation of Religion 1 Our God and Other Gods 5 The Kingly Mystery 10 The Recognition of Law 15 The Origin of Evil 19 What Reincarnates? 24 Real Memory 28 The Cause of Sorrow 33 What Survives after Death? 38 Can the Dead Communicate? 42 Sleep and Dreams 48 Instinct and Intuition 53 The Creative Will 57 Man, Visible and Invisible 62 Renunciation of Action 67 The Law of Correspondences 72 Culture of Concentration 78 Mental Healing and Hypnosis 83 The Occult Side of Nature 88 A League of Humanity 93 New Year’s Resolutions 98 Occult Knowledge 102 The Power of Suggestion 108 True Clairvoyance 113 True Morality 119 The Storehouse of Thought 125 The Language of the Soul 130 Theosophy in Daily Life 136 Three Kinds of Faith 140 Planetary Influences 146 (not in the FP) Work for Theosophy: a collation from the letters of Robert Crosbie 151-171 [ All articles except Planetary Influences are in “The Friendly Philosopher.” Page numbers given are at the bottom of the original pages.
    [Show full text]
  • The Metaphysical World of Marie Ogden
    Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2009-11-24 The Home of Truth: The Metaphysical World of Marie Ogden Stanley J. Thayne Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the History Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Thayne, Stanley J., "The Home of Truth: The Metaphysical World of Marie Ogden" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 2023. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2023 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. The Home of Truth: The Metaphysical World of Marie Ogden Stanley James Thayne II A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Grant Underwood, Chair Brian Q. Cannon J. Spencer Fluhman Eric A. Eliason Department of History Brigham Young University December 2009 Copyright © 2009 Stanley J. Thayne All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The Home of Truth: The Metaphysical World of Marie Ogden Stanley J. Thayne Department of History Master of Arts Marie Ogden‘s Home of Truth colony—a religious community that was located in southern Utah during the 1930s and 40s—was part of a segment of the American religious landscape that has largely been overlooked. As such, her movement points to a significant gap in the historiography of American religion. In addition to documenting the history of this obscure community, I situate Marie Ogden as part of what I call the early new age of American religion, an underdeveloped part of the broader categories of metaphysical religion or Western esotericism.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol141no10 Jul2020
    Text of Resolutions passed by the General Council of the Theosophical Society Freedom of Thought As the Theosophical Society has spread far and wide over the world, and as members of all religions have become members of it without surrendering the special dogmas, teachings and beliefs of their re- spective faiths, it is thought desirable to emphasize the fact that there is no doctrine, no opinion, by whomsoever taught or held, that is in any way binding on any member of the Society, none which any member is not free to accept or reject. Approval of its three Objects is the sole condition of membership. No teacher, or writer, from H. P. Blavatsky onwards, has any authority to impose his or her teachings or opinions on members. Every member has an equal right to follow any school of thought, but has no right to force the choice on any other. Neither a candidate for any office nor any voter can be rendered ineligible to stand or to vote, because of any opinion held, or because of membership in any school of thought. Opinions or beliefs neither bestow privileges nor inflict penalties. The Members of the General Council earnestly request every member of the Theosophical Society to maintain, defend and act upon these fundamental principles of the Society, and also fearlessly to exercise the right of liberty of thought and of expression thereof, within the limits of courtesy and consideration for others. Freedom of the Society The Theosophical Society, while cooperating with all other bodies whose aims and activities make such cooperation possible, is and must remain an organization entirely independent of them, not committed to any objects save its own, and intent on developing its own work on the broadest and most inclusive lines, so as to move towards its own goal as indicated in and by the pursuit of those objects and that Divine Wisdom which in the abstract is implicit in the title ‘The Theosophical Society’.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aquarian Theosophist, July 2021 2
    The Aquarian Theosophist Volume XXI, Number 09, July 2021 Blog: www.TheAquarianTheosophist.com E-mail: [email protected] The monthly journal of the Independent Lodge of Theosophists and its associated websites 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Does the ‘Gita’ Say All that Mankind Needs? Blavatsky Corrects Judge A.P. Sinnett and the opening page of his book, published in the associated websites 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 In February 1884, William Q. Judge still could not see the unique significance of modern theosophy. He sincerely believed, as shown in the following article, that the Bhagavad-Gita has all we need to learn. Judge felt the book “Esoteric Buddhism” was not quite necessary, although it consisted basically of Letters from the Mahatmas. H.P. Blavatsky decided to correct Judge’s naiveté in public, in a Note appended to his article. Read below. 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 The Aquarian Theosophist, July 2021 2 1. Judge: The Bhagavad-Gita and ‘Esoteric Buddhism’ The only fault I have to find with Mr. Sinnett’s book is that he too often says that: “this knowledge is now being given out for the first time.” He does not do this because he wants glory for himself, but because he makes a mistake. Nearly all the leading portions of the doctrine are to be found broadly stated in the Bhagavad- Gita. The obscuration periods are most clearly spoken of (chap. VIII, p. 42): “Those men who know the day of Brahma, which ends after a thousand ages, and the night which comes on at the end of those thousand ages, know day and night indeed. - … . This collective mass itself of existing things, thus existing again and again, is dissolved at the approach of that night.
    [Show full text]
  • Theosophical Movement
    Vol. 71 February 2001 No. 4 THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT A Magazine Devoted to The Living of the Higher Life LET US ENERGIZE OUR HEARTS 109 CHARACTER BUILDING 113 THOUGHTS ON "ISIS UNVEILED" 118 FREEDOM-OUTWARD AND INWARD 123 THE THEOSOPHY OF THE KORAN-I 127 A LIVING RELIGION 134 IN THE LIGHT OF THEOSOPHY 138 THEOSOPHY COMPANY (INDIA) PRIVATE LTD. 40 New Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020, India Vol. 71, No. 4 February17, 2001 LET US ENERGIZE OUR HEARTS [Reprinted from THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT, May 1963.] We are not working merely that people may call themselves Theosophists, but that the doctrines we cherish may affect and leaven the whole mind of this century. This alone can be accomplished by a small earnest band of workers, who work for no human reward, no earthly recognition, but who, supported and sustained by a belief in that Universal Brotherhood of which our Masters are a part, work steadily, faithfully, in understanding and putting forth for consideration the doctrines of life and duty that have come down to us from immemorial time. Falter not, so long as a few devoted ones will work to keep the nucleus existing. —H. P. BLAVATSKY THERE is a view of Theosophy that is cosmic and dynamic. It includes teachings that can be grasped by the human mind at any stage of growth, and advice and instruction to fit all possible needs and circumstances. It teaches children to grow and mothers to rear them and fathers to provide for them; it teaches labourers to work and merchants to trade, teachers to educate and rulers to reign, and everyone to live out his own life.
    [Show full text]
  • 2. Feb 2011 AQUARIAN THEOSOPHIST
    TThhee AAqquuaarriiaann TThheeoossoopphhiisstt Volume XI #2, February 17, 2011 Blog: http://aquariantheosophist.com Free by email from the Editors : [email protected] Archive: http://www.teosofia.com/AT.html CelebratingCelebrating “Justice to Judge” in 2011 “Justice to Judge” in 2011 The Sixth Year of Letters to Adyar active in the center of the magnetic field of the movement. with other activities also taking place The action of promoting respect for the For the sixth time since April 2006, founders independent students from various countries will increases both th be sending on 13 April 2011 a number of open individual and letters to the President of the Adyar collective Theosophical Society, Ms. Radha Burnier. connection to They will be asking her to help stop a the source. century old injustice by re-examining the Adyar It also makes it “Case” against Mr. William Q. Judge. Those who possible to have an interest in the future of the attain a better theosophical movement are invited to join the vision of the initiative, which is a celebration of its dynamic future unity of unity. William Q Judge Restoring justice with regard to William Continued on p 2 Judge does more than showing that Adyar Society cares about Ethics and Truth. It gives a Contents large portion of the movement a better chance Celebrating “Justice to Judge” in 2011 ................ 1 to benefit from the example of Judge’s life and from the wisdom present in his books. It opens The forecasting of earthquakes - a feasible goal .... 3 the way to a more intense life of the Volcanoes & Earthquakes: seeing them coming ........
    [Show full text]
  • TC Publications Catalog Jan2017.Indd
    THE THEOSOPHY COMPANY PUBLICATIONS CATALOG January 2017 For all orders (Domestic & International) e-mail to [email protected] or fax (213) 748-0634 Please include contact information for final verification of your order. You may also call our office at (213) 748-7244 We accept checks and money orders payable to The Theosophy Company or purchase online at amazon.com Prices are listed in U.S. dollars and shipping rates will be calculated during the checkout process. Rates vary depending on the shipping location. A 9% sales tax will apply to all California sales Our books are also available through our online shopping cart at theosophycompany.org (Note: Our online shopping cart is for Domestic orders only) We accept either VISA or MasterCard THE THEOSOPHY COMPANY 245 W. 33rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90007-4108 (A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization) theosophycompany.org 1 H.P. BLAVATSKY A MODERN PANARION 18.00 Hardcover, 504 pages ISBN 0-938998-22-6 Facsimile of 1895 Edition First published in 1895 by the Theosophical Society as a memorial of HPB’s life and work, these articles illuminate the spirit of the opening years of the Theosophical Movement of the nineteenth century. It includes articles written before the Society was formed, as well as many published in the early days of the movement. When compared with the original articles, those reprinted in this volume were somewhat edited in 1895. pq FIVE MESSAGES 2.50 From H.P. Blavatsky to the American Theosophists Pamphlet, 32 pages Letters to several Theosophical Conventions in the United States; valuable as statements of the general purposes of the Movement and as guides in carrying on the work.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aquarian Theosophist, December 2019 2
    The Aquarian Theosophist Volume XX, Number 02, December 2019 The monthly journal of the Independent Lodge of Theosophists and its associated websites Blog: www.TheAquarianTheosophist.com E-mail: [email protected] 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 The Awakening of the Future The last days of the year may produce a sense of hurry, yet they should generate peace. They can be a time when one tries to do all things at the same time, yet it would be better to see them as an occasion to be silent, to meditate and experience the quiet essence of all things. Supreme and decisive factors are always inner, not external. The splendour of the lights in any city of the world - by Christmas - is a pale reflection of the light of contentment that may exist in one’s soul. The purpose of the final weeks of the yearly cycle is to celebrate the inner peace and share it with all beings. It is to live the highest degree of quietness in one’s soul, and share it with all beings. Eternity is born again every year, at the new turning point of time. The awakening of the future takes place now. 000 The Aquarian Theosophist, December 2019 2 How Much Strength One Has “You are stronger than you think”. The sentence circulates among millions of people interested in being happy thanks to their own merit. The original esoteric philosophy teaches the same principle: “You are your own judge, and you provoke your happiness or suffering”. Every human being has within himself an unlimited source of positive energy.
    [Show full text]
  • Theosophy Moving Forward
    Independent Theosophical Magazine ­ Electronic Edition ­ 3rd Qtr 2013 Moving Theosophy ahead in the 21st Forward century Main theme in this issue Our Unity Chronology of Theosophical Unity The Eye and the Heart Doctrine Human Regeneration Adyar, Mon Amour Theosophical approaches to Christianity Theosophy Forward This independent electronic magazine offers a portal to Theosophy for all those who believe that its teachings are timeless. It shuns passing fads, negativity, and the petty squabbles of sectarianism that mar even some efforts to propagate the eternal Truth. Theosophy Forward offers a positive and constructive outlook on current affairs. Theosophy Forward encourages all Theosophists, of whatever organizations, as well as those who are unaligned but carry Theosophy in their hearts, to come together. Theosophists of any allegiance can meet and respectfully exchange views, because each of us is a centre for Theosophical work. It needs to be underscored that strong ties are maintained with all the existing Theosophical Societies, but the magazine's commitment lies with Theosophy only and not with individuals or groups representing these various vehicles. Theosophy Forward ­ 4th Quarter 2013 Regular Edition of Theosophy Forward Front cover photo by David Grossman Published by Theosophy Forward Produced by the Rman Institute Copyright © Theosophy Forward 2013 Contents Page THEOSOPHY 6 Chelas and Lay Chelas ­ by H. P. Blavatsky 7 Our Unity ­ by Dorothy Bell 15 Our Unity ­ by John Algeo 19 Our Unity ­ The Aura of All­Being ­ by Nicholas
    [Show full text]
  • South Asians and the Theosophical Society, 1879-1930 Maria Moritz
    Globalizing “Sacred Knowledge”: South Asians and the Theosophical Society, 1879-1930 by Maria Moritz a Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History Approved Dissertation Committee Professor Harald Fischer-Tiné, ETH Zürich Professor Nicola Spakowski, Universität Freiburg Professor Hans Kippenberg, Jacobs University Bremen Professor Sebastian Conrad, Freie Universität Berlin Date of Defense: 23 March 2012 School of Humanities and Social Sciences Statutory Declaration (on Authorship of a Dissertation) I, Maria-Sofia Moritz, hereby declare that I have written this PhD thesis independently, unless where clearly stated otherwise. I have used only the sources, the data and the support that I have clearly mentioned. This PhD thesis has not been submitted for conferral of degree elsewhere. I confirm that no rights of third parties will be infringed by the publication of this thesis. Berlin, April 27, 2017 Signature ___________________________________________________________ Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 4 List of Illustrations ............................................................................................................................... 5 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Great Theosophical Reformers of Our Time
    0 Great Theosophical Reformers of our Time William Quan Judge Helena Blavatsky Robert Crosbie B. P. Wadia Bhavani Shankar The fifth Leo Tolstoy Mohandas K. Gandhi Martin Luther King The fifth “On The Path” Seminar Saturday 22nd June 2019 ~ from 3 - 6.15 pm The United Lodge of Theosophists, 62 Queen’s Gardens, London, W2 3AH 1 H. P. Blavatsky (1831-1891) and William Q. Judge (1851-1896) Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, HPB as she was known to her friends, was the great mover and force behind the founding of the modern Theosophical Movement from its start on 17th November 1875 in New York USA. She was born of noble Russian and German parentage in Ukraine on 11/12 August 1831, and after her coming of age for over twenty years until 1871 she traveled the world in study and preparation, under the direction of her Indian Masters, in order to launch and steer what would become the Theosophical Society (TS). William Quan Judge, born twenty years later in Dublin, Ireland, was a co-founder of the TS with HPB. He had migrated to USA as a teenager with his family, and 10 years later in 1874 had met Mme Blavatsky and became her co-worker. When HPB and Col. Olcott sailed to India in 1879, Judge was left almost alone in the America to sustain the Theosophical Society from the seeds they had sown. The wisdom and extraordinary ability of Judge is apparent from how he transformed the Theosophical Society into a major and flourishing movement far and wide across the country.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aquarian Theosophist January 2013
    The Aquarian Theosophist, January 2013 1 The Aquarian Theosophist Volume XIII, Number 3, January 2013 The monthly journal of the websites www.TheosophyOnline.com, www.Esoteric-Philosophy.com and www.FilosofiaEsoterica.com . Blog: www.TheAquarianTheosophist.com E-mail: [email protected] ⊕ “… H.P.B. reiterated the ancient teaching about Chelaship: the life of chelaship begins with a resolute pledge-vow…” (John Garrigues) 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 A Direct Question Which Generates Karma: Who’s Responsible For Mankind? Every sincere student of esoteric philosophy can ask himself, or herself, any time: “What is my duty? Do I feel I am in charge of the state of the world? Do I feel responsible for the future of mankind?” Answers to these questions must be found in the sacred altar of one’s own heart. In the writings of Robert Crosbie we can read: The Aquarian Theosophist, January 2013 2 “The Teachers of Theosophy say, ‘The first test of true discipleship is devotion to the interests of another.’ ” [1] And John Garrigues wrote, while describing the 19th century mission of H. P. Blavatsky: “From the very beginning her philanthropic mission was misunderstood - the philanthropic basis of her phenomena; the philanthropic basis of her philosophy; the philanthropic basis of the Path to her Masters which she showed as ready for treading. Men’s minds were bent on miracle-working, on intellectualism and personal growth. Western arrogance pooh-poohed the idea of tests and trials of chelaship; eastern traditional devotion relied on the good-weal of the Gurus to lift drowning souls from the ocean of samsara.
    [Show full text]