Important books - www.AnandGholap.net - Online Theosophy

[Anand Gholap]

This is one of the most important books every student of Theosophy and most importantly officers in Theosophical Society should study. It is important because it gives most valuable inputs for deciding direction of the Theosophical Society.
http://www.anandgholap.net/Krishnamurti_And_The_Search_For_Light-Ge...
Best
Anand Gholap

[Andrew W. Smith]

Why not "The Key to Theosophy," by H. P. Blavatsky? Where are the HPB titles on your "Introduction to Theosophy" lists?

[Nick the Pilot]

Andrew,

Anand is a Christian evangelist, and has removed HPB's books from his list of recommended books.

[Andrew W. Smith]

Most unforunate! How does he justify Theosophy with "Christian Evangelism"? Was Krishnamurti the "return of Jesus"? Anand, what say YOU? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Nick the Pilot]

Andrew,

In my humble opinion, there are two kinds of people in this world, people who think like Christians and people who think like Buddhists. HPB tried to create a society where both kinds of people are welcome, and where both kinds of people will show respect and tolerance for the other group. It has been, and always will be, difficult to bring the two types of people together. I remember reading how this inherent difference tore apart the London lodge about 100 years ago. (HPB had to come in and make the final decision as to what to do -- create two separate lodges, one of which quickly failed.)

I do not think we "Buddhist-thinkiing" Theosophists benefit by arguing with evangelists like Anand. All we can do is try to follow the rules set down by HPB, which are to accept evangelists like Anand into our Society, even though he rejects HPB's teachings. Anand has the right to say what he believes. We have the right not to listen.

Regarding the idea of bringing Jesus into Theosophical philosophy, if I remember correctly, Steiner, Bailey, and Leadbeater tried to do just that. If Christians want to find Christian-style Theosophy, all we can do is point them in that direction, and wish them well. There seems to be a constant attempt to bring Jesus into Theosophy, so I guess we just have to get used to it.

The other side of the issue is, there IS a constant attempt to also keep HPB's teachings alive in the Society. For those of us so inclined, we are fortunate to have our HPB-friendly Society that remains alive and vibrant to this day. The beauty of it is, Christian evangelist members like Anand must be willing to approve of and allowe our study of HPB, in order for us to call him a Theosophist. Progress is being made, even if it is very slow progress. The TS is continuing to provide ground-breaking progress in the field of religious tolerance and co-existence. Both Anand and us "Buddhist-leaning" Theosophists belong to the same TS, neither group has yet to call for the expulsion of the other, and probably never will. HPB has done us a great service in providing us this opportunity to practice such religious ecumenicalism and coexistence right here in our own backyard.

No one Theosophist has the right to tell another Theosophist what to believe.

[Andrew W. Smith]

Agree! 100%! I was not questioning Anand's right to believe, only asking (perhaps not too kindly) how he reconciles Theosophy with his "Christianity." I'm sorry to have mislead anyone. I actually have followed some of Anand's Posts, etc., or I would not know what questions to ask. I'm just perpetually curious!?!

[Nick the Pilot]

Andrew,

I suppose that Anand is proceeding from the premise that Jesus exists, and he has found Theosophical teachings and authors that support such a hypothesis, most notably Leadbeater's writings. (Leadbeater wrote many pro-Christian comments, especially in his later years.) I think your curiosity about such a thing is a healthy thing. We can only hope that Anand is not insulted by such questions. (However, by his own admission, Anand is insulted by HPB's teachings, so I am afraid I fear the worst as to his view of this discussion.)

It is a good thing to try to understand a differing view, as you are attempting to do. The danger is to not let it decay into a negative relgious debate. Religious debates are good when there is a healthy willinginess to learn about someone else's beliefs. They are bad when we get into a "someone has to win and someone has to lose" mentality. Hopefully, we can maintain the first without falling into the second.

If you have any other questions as to the premises that Christian Theosophists work from, please do not hesitate to ask.

[Janeth]

Dear Anand,
Our dear spiritual brothers Andrew and Nick have made very valuable comments and questions; will you have some time later on to please enlightening us as to what your inference/perception/intuition/knowledge or persoal wisdom is about the interesting insights/questions posted by Andrew and Nick? Thanks a lot, Anand!!☺

[Andrew W. Smith]

There is always the very Theosophical "Liberal Catholic Church" which I followed for many years, and which, as I recall, was founded by/through Leadbeater. I'm not saying Jesus and Theosophy are incompatible, only that most forms of Christianity (and certainly "Evangelical") are usually found to be mutually exclusive.

[Andrew W. Smith]

What I am trying to say, believe it or not, is not an argument or a condemnation, but only that "Christianity" devolves into many opposing sects, while, Thankfully, Theosophy has not yet done so. May we always be a "Theosophical Movement" and not a secatrian, arguing groups of sects!

[Janeth]

Considering that reincarnation was part of the bible at one time (there is posting on this on the Jesus thread, posted by Frank), and since reincarnation is so very much part of Theosophy, I would say the teachings of Avatar Jesus (that was what he was, an Avatar, when he volunteered to reincarnate to benefit human beings), are in line with Theosophy!!☺

[Janeth]

>""Christianity" devolves into many opposing sects,.."--I would say human beings trying to follow Jesus' teachings have created many sects from it. As part of the "All" divine Ancient Wisdom, 'Theosophy', Jesus' teachings guided by the Christ energy, bestowed in him in order to fulfill his mission on earth, are pure and perfect, but then again we must evolve and acquire, and develope the right knowledge and wisdom to be able to understand, and hopefully practice them.
>"while, Thankfully, Theosophy has not yet done so.."--And I doubt very much that this would ever be the case. I would say that, precisely, is one of the reasons Theosophy is not a religion, nor a dogma. That is the beauty of Theosophy (mind you, Theosophy is 'Ancient Wisdom' while The-TS [Theosophical Society] is its vehicle), freedom to choose and accept what we are ready and capable of understanding and accepting!☺

[William Vollrath]

Nick, Are you suggesting that Jesus didn't exist?