THE THEOSOPHIST VOL. 131 NO. 2 NOVEMBER 2009 CONTENTS On the Watch-Tower 59 Radha Burnier Finding the Key to Theosophy 63 G. P. Sivris Hinduism’s Greatest Gift to the World 69 Klaus K. Klostermaier Living Theosophy 79 Linda Oliveira Fragments of the Ageless Wisdom 84 Henry Steel Olcott and Magnetic Healing 85 Julio Gerardo Pomar Books of Interest 89 Theosophical Work around the World 92 International Directory 94 Editor: Mrs Radha Burnier NOTE: Articles for publication in The Theosophist should be sent to the Editorial Office. Cover Picture: Memorial to the Unknown Members, Adyar (see page 93) —J. Suresh Official organ of the President, founded by H. P. Blavatsky, 1879. The Theosophical Society is responsible only for official notices appearing in this magazine. THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY Founded 17 November 1875 President: Mrs Radha Burnier Vice-President: Mrs Linda Oliveira Secretary: Mrs Kusum Satapathy Treasurer: Miss Keshwar Dastur Headquarters: ADYAR, CHENNAI (MADRAS) 600 020, INDIA Emails: Below Secretary: [email protected] Treasury: [email protected] Fax: (+91-44) 2446-3464 Adyar Library and Research Centre: [email protected] Theosophical Publishing House: [email protected] & [email protected] Fax: (+91-44) 2490-1399 Editorial Office: [email protected] Website: http://www.ts-adyar.org The Theosophical Society is composed of students, belonging to any religion in the world or to none, who are united by their approval of the Society’s Objects, by their wish to remove religious antagonisms and to draw together men of goodwill, whatsoever their religious opinions, and by their desire to study religious truths and to share the results of their studies with others. Their bond of union is not the profession of a common belief, but a common search and aspiration for Truth. They hold that Truth should be sought by study, by reflection, by purity of life, by devotion to high ideals, and they regard Truth as a prize to be striven for, not as a dogma to be imposed by authority. They consider that belief should be the result of individual study or intuition, and not its antecedent, and should rest on knowledge, not on assertion. They extend tolerance to all, even to the intolerant, not as a privilege they bestow but as a duty they perform, and they seek to remove ignorance, not punish it. They see every religion as an expression of the Divine Wisdom and prefer its study to its condemnation, and its practice to proselytism. Peace is their watchword, as Truth is their aim. Theosophy is the body of truths which forms the basis of all religions, and which cannot be claimed as the exclusive possession of any. It offers a philosophy which renders life intelligible, and which demonstrates the justice and the love which guide its evolution. It puts death in its rightful place, as a recurring incident in an endless life, opening the gateway to a fuller and more radiant existence. It restores to the world the Science of the Spirit, teaching man to know the Spirit as himself and the mind and body as his servants. It illuminates the scriptures and doctrines of religions by unveiling their hidden meanings, and thus justifying them at the bar of intelligence, as they are ever justified in the eyes of intuition. Members of the Theosophical Society study these truths, and theosophists endeavour to live them. Everyone willing to study, to be tolerant, to aim high, and to work perseveringly, is welcomed as a member, and it rests with the member to become a true theosophist. ² On the Watch-Tower RADHA BURNIER Who is the Winner? ability, a battleground. Nowadays, almost In a recent match, the two sisters Venus all well-known contests like the Olympic Williams and Serena Williams were pitted Games have lost their grace and fun against each other. Serena, the younger because there is so much in the media of one, won this time, her third Wimbledon the victory of some over others. singles title. Of course, she was in great That the game should prove the quality spirits after this victory. But from what of action is important, and not winning the papers report, the two sisters are quite anything from opponents. A fine quality as friendly with each other as they have in doing any kind of work is a great always been. They have fought against blessing. We should all become proficient each other on tennis courts several times in that sense; whether we learn music, with great professional competence, but play a game or learn to cook or calculate, we are told that they are just as friendly the result of doing a piece of work is with each other, whatever the result. They important. It does not matter whether one have been doing this for a long time, play- wins or loses temporarily in the game of ing with the intensity the games require, life. Everyone is going to win and become but remaining affectionate sisters at home. a beautiful piece that fits in with every- It is normal if one comes to consider thing else, and make people wonder. But it from the games point of view. These to learn to fit in we have to become good games are played for achieving quality, at ‘play’, and this is what we begin to see and both Serena and Venus have taken through the winning or losing. In a game, part in these several times, with one sister both winners and losers can have a good or the other winning. All games are meant time and try to do better when the to be only part of sport, to gain control opportunity arises. over the body and show the audience what So, the game of life can be — should can be achieved by anyone. But they have be rather — enjoyable, whatever we do; slowly become, instead of games, like a it might be losing or winning, but we place of battle and the real spirit of know that both are the same. The ‘fighting’ each other in friendship has importance of both is the game when it is been lost, so the game becomes, instead played well. Then one is prepared for of a lovely way of showing skills and higher things. Are we ready? November 2009 59 The Theosophist Unlimited Seeing disappear in the glowing reality of one- Brotherhood is not an Object of the ness. It is said that the illumined ones Society as imagined by many people, but see all of life, filled with Divine qualities, ‘Universal Brotherhood’ is, as mentioned lie before them and appear differently in the first Object of the Society. Universal from what it does to most people. The Brotherhood implies that it must be impression that some are better than others practised in respect of all persons, rich or disappears. So, for the illumined con- poor, important or not important, doing sciousness everything has equal value any kind of work or none at all. It is meant and is equally lovable. to include all human beings. There is great beauty in the evolu- Unfortunately ‘Brotherhood’ suggests tionary process, but we see that beauty a sexual difference to some people, but only in some places, if at all. A person this was not meant when the word was may have an old face with wrinkles and used. ‘Brotherhood’ was a term that other signs of age, but it exhibits great included women also and therefore the beauty all the same. There are some paint- Society’s Object concerned all humanity. ings which give this impression. The fact In English, there is no word which can is that in the light of real beauty, old age stand for brotherhood or sisterhood and youthfulness, the more evolved and combined, but the common factor in the the less evolved, are equally beautiful. In two words is what is meant. fact, beauty exists whether there is a form The term ‘universal brotherhood’ to show it or not. means, to all those who know and have The Divine is all around, and surrounds ‘eyes to see’, a vast, in fact an unlimited, the person who has a sufficiently vista. The spiritual level embraces all developed consciousness, and hence in the other levels including the lowest and that consciousness there is truth, know- the highest and to see what brotherhood ledge, eternity, deep joy, and so forth. is from the spiritual point of view, our These are not separate aspects of reality, eyes must be more and more open as we they are like the facets of a diamond, proceed. We would then see not merely which people may see as separate from the outer surface of everything, but the each other, but they are all from the inner content and meaning. So brother- one source. hood, or whatever else we may call it, To be aware of this, the Divine in so- perhaps ‘the sense of unity’, will be called ordinary things, one should put absolutely natural. aside thought, except when it is needed We will feel at one with all beings, concerning ordinary things. If there is which formerly was not possible. Some thought of this kind, everything is brought creatures appear to us as not so nice, down to its own level; and when no such or as beautiful and lovable as do the thought fills the mind it is free to see ones we like; but likes and dislikes things as they are. Unfortunately, when 60 Vol. 131.2 On the Watch-Tower we realize that there is something more The Question of Breeding than usual that can make itself known, They have now found a means to in searching for it we intend to discover reduce the time required for plants to what we already know.