Study Group & Bookshop Musings
by John Rau
Much theosophical work in the lives of any of us occurs outside of personal study, or gatherings and meetings. Daily duties and responsibilities of a particular moment is our karma unfolding, and when backed by self control and understanding is not pretentious, and is not focused on converting one’s neighbor, friend, relative or customer into a particular fold of thought. This action requires flexibility, acceptance of the viewpoints of others as best we can in an attempt to “live the life” so that we might know truth, feel it, weigh it, see it unfold in our world, rather than rely only on the belief of a personal (and therefore limited) system of thought and application, or a dogma imposed on us over time by authorities of various camps, new and old, religious, scientific, psychological or philosophical, feel-good or not, oftentimes for a price in gold, guilt, fear or social and family requirements. To accept another’s viewpoint is not the same as swallowing whole another’s ideas in a seeming spirit of agreement. Being open minded is good, but this work is also about standing firm, when firmness is required, as there is a great difference between a wading pool where one may splash around, get wet, experience sensations, and bathe as compared to a swimming pond where discipline is required to stay afloat and move forward in deep water and maintain one’s breath. These outer tasks presented us are not always easy. Some duties are quite demanding. We are reminded in LIGHT ON THE PATH (page 12, 1971 TUP) to “Regard earnestly all the life that surrounds you” and “Learn to look intelligently into the hearts of men” while regarding “...most earnestly your own heart......which can illuminate life and make it clear to your eyes.”
During theosophical study group gatherings we come together as a handful of students, or as a larger group, whatever the case may be, to explore ancient wisdom alongside the various re-presented modern and sometimes arcane forms of the same, in effort to recharge ourselves, share these teachings and ideas, and apply them however we may when we exit from study as individuals into our personal worlds and lives, where, as mentioned above, much work is awaiting to stir us, and will unfold naturally as our lives become enriched through this study of ever emanating truth. We are reminded in our book study of James A. Long’s EXPANDING HORIZONS, page 64, truth “is like the horizon that ever eludes us but is always before us....., we travel the road that leads toward it. But when we arrive, the horizon has moved on. Just so with truth: we shall never reach the “last horizon,” because there will always be another and another.”
A study and realization ( not self-realization with a small “s” ) of the unity and oneness of “Being”, or “Beness” is a most important point. Whether we view this unity from a religious or spiritual perspective, or from a philosophical or scientific stance, or both, or in some other way, matters not. It is the realization of this “Oneness” as impersonal reality that is important. During the fleeting moments that we are actually able to perceive “our Being” in this fashion, it is impossible to be selfish. In a world as materialistic ( as in stuff, ego and power gathering, etc. ) as the one in which we presently find ourselves outwardly involved, this way of thinking is not just a comprehension of “truth”, but medicine in great demand. Medicine that needs no authoritative approval to work its healing magic. Good medicine. Like a homeopathic remedy, this “theosophia”, even in small doses, produces great effects. World changing effects.
In future issues of KALI YUGA RAG we'll fish out repetitive questions and/or thoughts encountered in the study group meetings or in the spontaneous regular discussions unfolding in the bookshop, paraphrased and followed by theosophical responses (not final answers). The bookshop over the past 14 years, here and in the southwest, has been the breeding ground of countless discussions, some quite loud and hurried onto the sidewalk, others quite mellow. After all, good bookshops are all introductions to “new ideas”, and many who frequent these shops are strong in thought, if not always expression. I plan to pull material from this open format source of inspiration, filled with thoughts, thinkers and theosophy books alongside other more traditional volumes that approach life’s mysteries through their own particular bent, and as well harvest thoughts and questions from the more subdued regular study group gatherings. A couple of short shots will do for this issue as I have already written plenty by way of introduction.
QUESTION - I have been to other metaphysical group discussions, some calling themselves theosophical, where we talk about all sorts of things, mostly about what we believe, receive instruction on how to do things like meditate, use metaphysical techniques to enhance our power to bring happiness into our lives and get answers to our questions based on “readings”. Don’t you think you would attract more interest and people if you offered this kind of approach?
Response - This question arises, or others similar to it, quite often. Certainly we would attract more people, but we are not interested in attracting bodies and talkers, but rather thinkers and students of life who, if not already convinced, are at least entertaining the idea of self-responsibility as a valid path toward the “happiness” you speak of acquiring. In so doing, we may build on grand philosophical ideas and therefore grow toward a strong base that is already planning on expanding discussions, presentations and studies, hopefully into other locations besides Rodney and Grand Rapids. Lansing for example. We have aspirations. Would it not be grand work to build a conservative effort that would not only focus on the fundamentals of ancient wisdom and sciences applied to our modern age in such a way that not only presents regular study groups, public discussions, lectures and the like, but also gathers onto itself a sort of life energy of it’s own that might outlast even those of us now doing this Michigan work? Something of value to pass on to younger workers in a near future time? It is nice to see lots of people, but small is good too. Sometimes better and stronger. In order to do this work, we need to be focused on solid ground, not just phenomena. Being taught to use apparent metaphysical laws and the psychological forces in man, including meditation, is not the same thing as attempting to embrace an understanding of a truth within which you may find those laws, at which time one may decide to personally explore and study these realizations further if desired.
Theosophical philosophy proposes a natural evolution of “powers” and warns of a danger in trying to force them on ourselves or others prematurely. This warning, I believe, is a valid one, and if not heeded, can lead into very real dangers. There are many good avenues to explore today, but that said it is also true that some have been damaged in this so-called “new age” and the market frenzy quite often found within it. In reality however, every day is a new age. New ages follow new ages regularly as there are cycles within cycles that we can all see if we will take time to look. We need not feel hurried in our search for truth. I do not mean to say that all instruction or teachings that take another approach other than the one we are pursuing as Theosophy are necessarily “bad”, but in these powerful times, one needs to be cautious and street smart as best as one is able. Thorns, some sharp, some dull, are everywhere found in and on the path of truth. It has been stated that Theosophy is just another “thing” you have to believe in. This is not true. The theosophical approach, if it is true to itself, will generate beliefs that many theosophical thinkers agree on, although some may not, while at the same time we should always be prepared for changes in our “faiths”. I think that any “faith” within us is generated by self effort, strong or weak, and not by a revelation or a “reading” from someone or something else. Even when we find a true friend and teacher (so to speak), it should be we that create the good “faith”, not them. Some “revelations and/or readings” may be true and good, but they may also be part or pure delusion. Serious thought, and slow application and weighing of “new” ideas can result in stable foundations. This approach I feel is a healthy one, and lends to a responsible karmic unfoldment for all involved.
QUESTION - Are Theosophists Atheists, do you pray, and what to you think of science?
Response - Many theosophical thinkers worldwide practice their religions. A theosophical thinker would and must respect the right of another’s religious quest involving the concept of a personal god, or not. Most however, if asked, would deny the existence of an all powerful anthropomorphic god pulling strings according to “his” or “her” whims, punishing here and there while rewarding their prized favorites by allowing them to win a war or inherit the earth at some future time, or some such scenario because their followers pursued a “right way” that pleases this god. Praying to such a concept can be viewed as extreme selfishness if there is a personal desire as to an outcome of a particular event. Prayer however, can take a rarefied and unselfish form. But this is a personal matter, and best left to the individual.
A theosophical thinker does not ignore the divine and it’s many manifestations of consciousness as universes, solar systems, planets and all kingdoms within these spheres, mineral, plant, animal, human and other lives lesser or greater than these mentioned. From this point of view there is nothing supernatural, only natural. There is no separation in this concept of “god” (or call it what you will) and all kingdoms made up within this “god”. This is an ancient view and philosophically through serious study we are led to a reasonable belief that all great philosophy, religion, myths & science, ancient and modern, begin and end in this all inclusive concept. That there is indeed room for modern science in this theosophy as well as divine philosophy is one of the major attractions for some of us to this pathway of thought. We should not be fools however and accept the latest scientific proclamations of various groups or individuals as “fact” just because of a high degree of respect for a method of study. Nor should we consider all scientific applications or methods of research as necessarily “good”. Scientists have in the past, some are now, and some will in the future lean as heavily into a “religious dogma” and “priesthood” approach of their own beliefs within their various arts and activities as have, and as do, legions of religious thinkers and promoters within a particular faith. This is limiting, and can be retarding to growth. It is interesting when one looks at the word “religion” as “religo” (Latin - to tie, fasten behind, hold back ). From one perspective we all “suffer” from “religion” in varying degrees, even Theosophists, Scientists and Atheists alongside their more fundamentally religious brothers & sisters, must hold a focus for the moment, or the hour, or the day. We hold ourselves back and tie our beliefs up within us to “get on down the road” and live life. This however does not mean one cannot find strength in realizing that this “religo” is a tool, and not an end in itself. We can thank our lucky stars (or the gods) that truth found in science, philosophy and religion is ever changing before the mind’s eye in an ever converting light.
So, depending upon the questioner’s definition of “Atheist”, the answer to the question “are Theosophists Atheists?” is both yes and no. I, however prefer to respond no. Yes to the divine unfoldment of all. No to a demanding, personal, limiting and therefore stifling god.