Nicholas
Bodhicitta
The annual International Theosophy Conference will be held in the Netherlands this August 2015. Here is the tentative program focused on HP Blavatsky:
http://www.theosconf.org
http://www.theosconf.org
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Theosophy
- Thread starter Nicholas
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Nicholas
Bodhicitta
I doubt it, via video live or taped maybe. She is very frail (95?) for such a long plane flight.
Ben Dhyan
Veteran Member
Ok, I get it...makes sense...
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
This universe is regarded by many modern astronomers as dead, except for a
little patch of life on this and possibly a few other planets. But according to the view
I am putting forward, which is also the ancient view, it is a universe of life. Life is
everywhere—even in the smallest speck—though manifested in different degrees,
matter being its vehicle or medium. Since you cannot ask for a material proof of a
non-material reality, any more than you can ask for proofs of the so-called geometry
of space, you have to regard this view—the essential independence of life—as a
hypothesis, which, the more you consider it in relation to facts of our experience,
confirms itself all the more.
If life is not a mere patch on matter, bound to consume itself like a brush-fire, and
if life is in every particle, then it is a universe of evolution. We know that life in any
form has this extraordinary quality, which not only grows, reproduces, and adapts,
but also brings out of a seemingly inexhaustible store new species, new capacities,
new ways and methods of action. In other words, it ascends.
Life means consciousness—the capacity to respond, to register, to be aware—and
consciousness gives rise to intelligence. Although we see this intelligence in the
activities of Nature, we see its unfettered action in man who constitutes at present,
at least in his own estimation, the summit of evolutionary progress. But is this the
summit or are there higher heights to be reached? The future will show.
From "Our Place in the Universe", by N. Sri Ram
little patch of life on this and possibly a few other planets. But according to the view
I am putting forward, which is also the ancient view, it is a universe of life. Life is
everywhere—even in the smallest speck—though manifested in different degrees,
matter being its vehicle or medium. Since you cannot ask for a material proof of a
non-material reality, any more than you can ask for proofs of the so-called geometry
of space, you have to regard this view—the essential independence of life—as a
hypothesis, which, the more you consider it in relation to facts of our experience,
confirms itself all the more.
If life is not a mere patch on matter, bound to consume itself like a brush-fire, and
if life is in every particle, then it is a universe of evolution. We know that life in any
form has this extraordinary quality, which not only grows, reproduces, and adapts,
but also brings out of a seemingly inexhaustible store new species, new capacities,
new ways and methods of action. In other words, it ascends.
Life means consciousness—the capacity to respond, to register, to be aware—and
consciousness gives rise to intelligence. Although we see this intelligence in the
activities of Nature, we see its unfettered action in man who constitutes at present,
at least in his own estimation, the summit of evolutionary progress. But is this the
summit or are there higher heights to be reached? The future will show.
From "Our Place in the Universe", by N. Sri Ram
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
A Russian General's vision, from his Higher Self, of main events in his life - beforehand.
An Astral Prophet- HP Blavatsky - Theosophy Trust
An Astral Prophet- HP Blavatsky - Theosophy Trust
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
Today at 9:38 am Pacific time is the Summer Solstice, which has a sacred meaning.
"The Summer-Solstice, is symbolic of full maturity in a man's life-span. With the latter there also comes a time of temptation; the one great problem of a life-time asserts itself, different for every individual and dependent to a large extent upon his previous lives. He gathers all his strength and produces, whether spiritually, mentally, or otherwise, the fruitage of former years, the result of his "spring flowering," and this fruitage may be good, bad or indifferent, according to the man. This season stood as a symbol of "mature manhood" in the spiritual life of the Initiate, when his career was in full sway and he had taken his rightful place in the life of the Hierarchy to which he belonged." Boris de Zirkoff
"The Summer-Solstice, is symbolic of full maturity in a man's life-span. With the latter there also comes a time of temptation; the one great problem of a life-time asserts itself, different for every individual and dependent to a large extent upon his previous lives. He gathers all his strength and produces, whether spiritually, mentally, or otherwise, the fruitage of former years, the result of his "spring flowering," and this fruitage may be good, bad or indifferent, according to the man. This season stood as a symbol of "mature manhood" in the spiritual life of the Initiate, when his career was in full sway and he had taken his rightful place in the life of the Hierarchy to which he belonged." Boris de Zirkoff
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
There are no dark places in the chambers
of the Soul: it is wholly an abode of living light
and knowledge. We need not look outside ourselves
for the grandeur and the aid our hearts
are craving. The secret and key to all situations
is in the heart. All truth is within. It has been
on those inner planes for ages, and still lies sleeping
in the Spirit of Man.
No one can tell it in words; no one can
convey it in speech or writing; none can reveal
to you the Secret of Life. Keys and hints may
be given; enthusiasms may be awakened; hearts
may be aroused and minds stimulated to thought;
but the Reality is a thing each one must find
for himself.
Greater than all the books that ever were
written; greater than all the wisdom the Teachers
of old brought to mankind, are the Books of
Revelation a man may read in within himself.
Move out into the fields of thought where
Reality is, and you will have left your volumes
of theology behind; and you will have ceased to
do injustice to your own Soul. Your personal
god will have died a natural death in your mind;
he will be sitting no longer aloof in space nursing
his moods of love or revenge, or cutting you off
after a single lifetime from all opportunity to
gain experience or do service and shutting out
the splendor of infinite and eternal existence from
you: all that fantastic creation of human brainminds
will have vanished away.
Katherine Tingley, The Gods Await
of the Soul: it is wholly an abode of living light
and knowledge. We need not look outside ourselves
for the grandeur and the aid our hearts
are craving. The secret and key to all situations
is in the heart. All truth is within. It has been
on those inner planes for ages, and still lies sleeping
in the Spirit of Man.
No one can tell it in words; no one can
convey it in speech or writing; none can reveal
to you the Secret of Life. Keys and hints may
be given; enthusiasms may be awakened; hearts
may be aroused and minds stimulated to thought;
but the Reality is a thing each one must find
for himself.
Greater than all the books that ever were
written; greater than all the wisdom the Teachers
of old brought to mankind, are the Books of
Revelation a man may read in within himself.
Move out into the fields of thought where
Reality is, and you will have left your volumes
of theology behind; and you will have ceased to
do injustice to your own Soul. Your personal
god will have died a natural death in your mind;
he will be sitting no longer aloof in space nursing
his moods of love or revenge, or cutting you off
after a single lifetime from all opportunity to
gain experience or do service and shutting out
the splendor of infinite and eternal existence from
you: all that fantastic creation of human brainminds
will have vanished away.
Katherine Tingley, The Gods Await
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
Remembering the word of Masters: 'He who does what he can and all that he can, and all that he knows how to do, does enough for us.' This task includes that of divesting yourself of all personality through interior effort, because that work, if done in the right spirit, is even more important to the race than any outward work we can do.
W.Q. Judge, from letter 14 in Letters That Have Helped Me
W.Q. Judge, from letter 14 in Letters That Have Helped Me
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
Here is a comparison between Blavatsky's translation of her sister Vera's biographical sketch of HPB and a new one. The former appeared in the Collected Writings of HPB, vol. 14
http://hypatia.gr/fota/images/newsletter/Fota_Newsletter_Special_Ed_Summer2015.pdf
http://hypatia.gr/fota/images/newsletter/Fota_Newsletter_Special_Ed_Summer2015.pdf
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Nicholas
Bodhicitta
A series of talks Purucker gave called Questions We All Ask:
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/qwaa/qwaa-hp.htm
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/qwaa/qwaa-hp.htm
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
This a good booklet on the nature and spiritual evolution of humanity, called Sons of the Firemist:
http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/ktmanual/kt-sons.htm
http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/ktmanual/kt-sons.htm
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
The Brothers that Blavatsky and other theosophists knew are part of a Brotherhood that has been helping the spiritual growth of humanity for many thousands of generations. Here is a Hindu who met some of these Adepts telling a little of his experience, in a letter to William Q. Judge:
PUBLICATION OFFICE OF THE "THEOSOPHIST,"
BREACH CANDY, BOMBAY, INDIA. 14th June 1881.
My dear Judge
I will now begin where I stopped last. I told you there about my being at a certain place where they have their Council. After that I saw
twice or thrice alone on the same business and very rarely he said to me a few words of encouragement and good advice as to how I should go on. Happy were those moments when alone at midnight we thus had conversation! Nothing or no body to disturb us! We were to ourselves during that time. Once he took me to some other place in Ceylon. In that particular village, H. P. B., Col. Olcott and myself were the only three persons that stopped one night, the rest of our party having gone to a further place. We were all busy there initiating people and forming a branch of our Society till about 12 in the night. H. P. B. and Col. Olcott went to bed at about one. As we had to stay in the village only one night we had got down in the Rest House where comfortable accommodation can be had only for two travellers. I had therefore to lay down in an arm-chair in the dining room. I had scarcely locked from inside the door of the room and laid myself in the chair than I heard a faint knock at the door. It was repeated twice before I had time enough to reach the door.
I opened it and what a great joy I felt when I saw
again! In a very low whisper he ordered me to dress myself and to follow him. At the back door of the Rest House is the Sea. I followed him as he commanded me to do. He brought me to the back door of the place and we walked about three quarters of an hour by the seashore. Then we turned in the direction of the sea. All around there was water except the place we were walking upon which was quite dry!! He was walking in front and I was following him. We thus walked for about seven minutes when we came to a spot that looked like a small island. On the top of the building was a triangular light. From a distance, a person standing on the seashore would think it to be an isolated spot which is covered all over by green bushes. There is only one entrance to go inside. And no one can find it out unless the occupant wishes the person to find the way.
After we reached the Island we had to go round about for about five minutes before we came in front of the actual building. There is a little garden in front we found one of the Brothers sitting. I had seen him before in the Council Room and it is to him that this place belongs.
seated himself near him and I stood before them. We were there for about half an hour. I was shown a part of the place. How very pleasant it is! And inside this place he has a sort of a small room where the body remains when the Spiritmoves about. What a charming, delightful spot that is! What a nice smell of roses and various sorts of flowers! I wish I were permitted to visit that place again if I should go to Ceylon another time. The half hour was finished and the time for our leaving the place was near.
The master of the place whose name I do not know, placed his blessing hand over my head and
and I marched off again. We came back near the door of the room wherein I was to sleep and he suddenly disappeared there on the spot. And following his example as a true disciple I too will now disappear abruptly until the next mail when I shall resume the subject.
Yours very truly & Sincerely
DAMODAR K. MAVALANKAR
PUBLICATION OFFICE OF THE "THEOSOPHIST,"
BREACH CANDY, BOMBAY, INDIA. 14th June 1881.
My dear Judge
I will now begin where I stopped last. I told you there about my being at a certain place where they have their Council. After that I saw
I opened it and what a great joy I felt when I saw
After we reached the Island we had to go round about for about five minutes before we came in front of the actual building. There is a little garden in front we found one of the Brothers sitting. I had seen him before in the Council Room and it is to him that this place belongs.
The master of the place whose name I do not know, placed his blessing hand over my head and
Yours very truly & Sincerely
DAMODAR K. MAVALANKAR
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
More testimony of meetings with Adepts of the Brotherhood by other theosophists in the 19th century:
http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/mastersencounterswith.htm
http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/mastersencounterswith.htm
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
A newish blog on theosophic topics:
https://circleofasia.wordpress.com
https://circleofasia.wordpress.com
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
The Leader of the Theosophical Society at Point Loma from 1929-1942 gave many fine teachings on Theosophy. Now his Questions We All Ask are available in pdfs; soon to be in text also. The pdfs are huge, 200mb and 300mb for the two volumes. These were his earliest public teachings after he became Leader of the TS.
Questions We All Ask
Questions We All Ask
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Nicholas
Bodhicitta
"Is suicide ever permissible?"
Never. And why never? Because it is a coward's act. Suicide
means the deliberate taking of one's own life in order to escape the consequences
of what one has earned; and if any man or woman think
that he can cheat Nature in that way, he greatly errs. He but adds to
the heavy burthen that he has to carry in the future; and what awaits
him on the other side I will leave unsaid. He has deliberately forced
Nature's hand, so to say; he has deliberately exercised his own willpower
and consciousness for an unholy deed in an unnatural way, and
done an act which Nature, through its unerring laws, has not itself
brought about...
Purucker in QWAA, series 1
Never. And why never? Because it is a coward's act. Suicide
means the deliberate taking of one's own life in order to escape the consequences
of what one has earned; and if any man or woman think
that he can cheat Nature in that way, he greatly errs. He but adds to
the heavy burthen that he has to carry in the future; and what awaits
him on the other side I will leave unsaid. He has deliberately forced
Nature's hand, so to say; he has deliberately exercised his own willpower
and consciousness for an unholy deed in an unnatural way, and
done an act which Nature, through its unerring laws, has not itself
brought about...
Purucker in QWAA, series 1
Nicholas
Bodhicitta
Starting in January 2016 the Theosophical Society, Point Loma, will put introductory talks on Theosophy online:
Theosophy online lectures
Theosophy online lectures