The Esoteric School Lobby

[Anand Gholap]

(Annie Besant was the head of the Esoteric School and Colonel Olcott was the President of TS.)
Mrs. Annie Besant wrote:
“In the T.S. we have a curious mixture. The Exoteric Society is purely democratic - it is only fair to admit this fully. On the other side we have an Esoteric body which is practically autocratic in its constitution ... The existence of a secret body to rule the outer Society made the constitution of the T.S. a mere farce, for it was at the mercy of the inner … All the differences that arose between the Colonel and myself were on this point; he could not believe that I was serious in saying that I would not use the E.S. against him, but slowly he came to understand it ... The greatest power will always be in the hands of the E.S., and not in the head of the Society ... I know that I exercise a quite unwarrantable power. This is what makes some people say there should not be an E.S.T. … We must recognize the danger and try to neutralize it. At any time during the last fifteen years I could have checkmated the Colonel on any point if I had chosen ...”

I could see frustration of some officers in TS regarding the results in Presidential elections. They were wondering how one person can get elected unopposed for around 30 years. It happened again and again in TS history. Different theories were offered to explain this phenomenon. I think all that mystery is solved by above passages of Annie Besant.
Best
Anand Gholap

[Pablo Sender]

Janeth,

Why do you relate "what happened during the multinational elections last year" to the ES? The ES had nothing to do with it. Would you say as well that this was a problem between Brahmins and Western scholars, since Radha Burnier is a Brahmin and Dr. John Algeo is a scholar? What happened was purely a TS affair.
So, this is what I am talking about. Church people say all kinds of nonsense about the TS. You, as a TS member, know by experience what they say is nonsense. You try to explain, but they have their conclusions and animosity against the TS, and they won't listen. They are afraid the TS is an instrument of evil and denounce it based on misinformation or what people against the TS said in the past (many times what hurt former members said). So finally, you obviously drop any mention of the TS to them. It is useless, it wastes your time, and generates more gossip.
Exactly the same happens about the ES with some TS members. It is the reactions of these TS members what makes ES members withdraw from further discussion.

[Janeth]

>"Why do you relate "what happened during the multinational elections last year" to the ES? The ES had nothing to do with it. "<---Good question, Pablo. I linked the two because most, if not all, administrators in Adyar are ES members. It is the behavior we have observed from some, I repeat, some ES members, not only from Adyar, but from local groups (please note I am saying 'groups'-in plural) as well, that have caused disappointment among other TS members. But we MUST understand and have the following perfectly clear:
1) Not all ES members should be put in the same category as those who have misbehaved.
2) We should not blame, let alone condemn, any ES member, or human being for that matter....Considering how difficult it is to control consciousness and kama-manas, this is, as I learned to say from listening to the NDE's CD..., this is a biggie!! But we should continue to strive, harder, and harder, smartly and smartly, wisely and wisely to conquer ourselves!!☺ "To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself is to know the way". -Xena, Princess Warrior--the TV program filmed in New Zeeland some years ago.
3) The ES and its divine teachings are not, I repeat, they are not to be blamed for the behavior of it’s ‘human beings’ members”. The divine teachings are perfect; we, human beings, are not!! Avatar Jesus left divine wisdom and knowledge and teachings for west civilization, yet some human beings have misunderstood, and/or misinterpreted the teachings, or, for X or Y reason have chosen to do so. Is it legitimate and just of us to say it is the teachings and/or the institution that represent those divine teachings at fault? NO! Human beings are!
4) As I have already said, more than once, we are, after all, "human beings”, and as such “imperfect”!
Now that thanks to a friend of mind I understand what ES members go through, a heavy weight has been lifted from my mind, heart and soul. Now that my friend have, in a few words, and with knowledge and wisdom, explained the process to me..., with such gentleness and compassion becoming one who truly knows and is advanced and had not allowed ‘intellectual knowledge’ to get to his head..., now...., now I understand!!☺ …One day last year, out of the blue, I was presented with the opportunity to visit Utah and attend a NDE (near death experience) talk by TSA's Nat'l. Pres., Mrs. Bland…, and..., boy if I understood many other things....☺…And even though I understood a lot more because I had seen Nat'l Pres. in the flesh --her loving energy, easy going and witty personality helps one relax and digest things better-- I then fully realized what my friend, from overseas, had kindly tried to explain to me over the telephone.
I have listened to Mrs. Bland's NDE's CD at least four times, and unbelievable as it may seem, every time I listened to it my mind, heart and soul understood a new message..., a new message I had not heard/understood before...☺ Ah…, it is so interesting to see how depending on the mental, emotional and spiritual energy one may be feeling at a particular moment in time and circumstance one can see, feel, perceive and understand things better..☺ For those people out there who might be interested in listening to Mrs. Bland's CD, it might be acquired at “Publishing House Customer Service [e-mail]. I’ll be glad to donate the copy I have to whoever may want it!!☺ Please feel free to send me a private message; I will mail it out!!☺
>"The ES had nothing to do with it."<---You are right, Pablo. The ES, as a separate entity that it is, should not be blamed. Unfortunately the behavior of some members, especially ES members in positions of authority within TS leaves a lot to be desired. However, WE, TS members, MUST UNDERSTAND, and accept/realized that the problem is not the ES. The problem is the poor example we get from some, I repeat, some individuals who should know better…, but then again…, what do we know of the inner and outer challenges those poor souls are under day-in and day-out? What do we really know? The truth is, WE KNOW NOTHING!! And again, as I have tried to explain already, more than once, I think, the problem is that ES members are human beings, as all of us are, and as such have to endure trials and conquer challenges like every single one true TS member and/or student of Theosophy does, with a huge difference…, those trials and challenges, ES members have to endure and transcend, are a lot harder to deal with and conquer, since they have accepted to face karma debts in a shorter period of time.
There is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding, thus confusion, about the ES, Pablo.
I am glad that thanks to the discussion we have had here as well as on George's thread have helped us understand. It was thanks to my very intelligent, knowledgeable, kind and wise friend, along with my daily study and meditation on the deep divine teachings given to us by Alcione in ATFOTM (At The Feet Of The Master...spelling for all LEPs out there-☺) that I begun to understand why human beings who are accepted into esoteric schools changed, and some times dramatically, once they have entered said schools.
I have been fortunate and privileged to meet very extraordinary human beings in this life. My friend is one of them, and I am forever grateful to him. Also, I am grateful to Theosophy, to TSA and its Nat’l Pres., Mrs. Bland, and every single TSA employee and volunteer, you included, of course-☺, I am grateful also to TS, its leaders without whom we probably wouldn’t have TS…I am thankful too to each and every single TS member and/or student of Theosophy I have met thanks to TS and TC, I am a better person today thanks to you all!!☺
Best to one and all!!☺
J.
PS. I have been upset at the poor sample I have observed from some individuals; thank goodness I do not feel that way anymore!!☺

[Anand Gholap]

According to Pablo ES does not play role in TS elections.
Annie Besant wrote quite the opposite. I have given Besant's observation above.
I am copying here excerpt of the message sent by Roberta, at theos-talk, 20th June 2009. Message no. 51721
Roberta's message:
"It's good that you have asked for clarification regarding this embarrasing
situation, as you call it.

Let me tell you that although the subject you touched is related, we were
discussing how some ES members in Latin America were advised to leave the ES
last year, IF they had doubts about Radha Burnier's faculties, as in relation to
her task as International President of the TS!

So, at least in the Latin American region, the ES fuctioned as a state in the
state, as a manipulative, and secretive political instrument. ....
Roberta"

[Pablo Sender]

I'm from Latin America, and I know the person in charge of the the whole region. He is a person I admire for his integrity. He is an example of humility, among other things. He will never put any kind of pressure on anybody.
Your quote by Besant has more that 100 years. There is nothing in the ES rules that binds its members to anything regarding the TS administration.
Personally, I wouldn't pay much attention to what goes on in theos-talk because unfortunatelly it is a major place of "theosophical" gossip, as you know.

[William Vollrath]

The fact is, any "secret" organization within a larger, essentially democratic organization is going to create concern and distrust. The only way to counter that reality is for the "secret" organization to be as open as possible regarding its membership, goals, beliefs and activities. In short, it should cease being secret and become an open and active group within the TS readily available for all who share those ideals!

[Anand Gholap]

Let ES literature be available to all. Let members make their pledge in their own hearts to support Masters' work. This will make environment in TS more healthy and brotherly.
This could be one option, though I want to think more about different options, before arriving at final conclusion.

[Anand Gholap]

Reply by Pablo Sender on June 24, 2009 at 9:28am
"There is nothing in the ES rules that binds its members to anything regarding the TS administration."

Let us compare Pablo's words with E.S. rules and the pledge drafted by Blavatsky.
http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/espage2.htm
Rule 7(a)
(a) Obedience to the Head of the Section in all Theosophical matters.

And Pledge of Probationers in the Esoteric Section of the T.S.
http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/espage3.htm
2. I pledge myself to support, before the world, the Theosophical movement, it's leaders and it's members; and in particular to obey, without cavil or delay, the orders of the Head of the Esoteric Section in all that concerns my relation with the Theosophical movement.

[Pablo Sender]

I'm sorry Anand, I don't want to be impolite, but why are you bringing this subject up again? Didn't I tell you already when the discussion started that the pledge Blavatsky designed more than 100 years ago is not current, and that the current pledge doesn't mention the TS and its leaders?
Why do you keep posting the same? Is it that you don’t remember? Or is it a strategy? I know some people use posting things repeatedly as a strategy to spread what they want regardless the veracity of it.
So, let me explain it once again. At the beginning, the ES was a Section of the TS. Later, due to some TS member’s suspiciousness, the ES was constituted as a separate organization with no reference to TS administration.
So, I say it again: "There is nothing in the ES rules that binds its members to anything regarding the TS administration."

[Anand Gholap]

Reply by Pablo Sender 11 hours ago
" Didn't I tell you already when the discussion started that the pledge Blavatsky designed more than 100 years ago is not current, and that the current pledge doesn't mention the TS and its leaders?"
We can compare it with the information given by Jerry Hejka Ekins. Jerry says:
"Blavatsky told her students that their obligation is first to their Higher Self. In the last Pledge sheet I saw, I noticed that new ES members now make their pledge directly to Radha--not to their Higher Self."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theosophy_/message/4925

[Pablo Sender]

"Blavatsky told her students that their obligation is first to their Higher Self. In the last Pledge sheet I saw, I noticed that new ES members now make their pledge directly to Radha--not to their Higher Self."

What can I say? This is one more lie. The pledge is made to the Higher Self, never to the ES head.
Anand, your conclusions are based on false information. Some people are against the ES for personal reasons, and they usually don't care about truth. Any Adyar ES member can support the information I've been giving under their word of honor.
But you seem to be willing to believe anything that agrees with your preconceived aim. I haven't see any willingness from you to discover the truth about this.

[Nick the Pilot]

Hi everybody!

Regarding spiritual discipline, I recommend that the first step should be following the Golden Stairs that HPB gave us:

"A clean life,
an open mind,
a pure heart,
an eager intellect,
an unveiled spiritual perception,
a brotherliness for one’s co-disciple,
a readiness to give and receive advice and instruction;
a loyal sense of duty to the Teacher,
a willing obedience to the behests of Truth, once we have placed our confidence in and believe that Teacher to be in possession of it;
a courageous endurance of personal injustice,
a brave declaration of principles,
a valiant defence of those who are unjustly attacked,
and a constant eye to the ideal of human progression and perfection which the Secret Science depicts
-- these are the golden stairs up the steps of which the learner may climb to the Temple of Divine Wisdom."

- H. P. Blavatsky

For me, a clean life means no alcohol, no tobacco, no caffeine, no "inappropriate sexual activity," and no eating of meat. I am curious as to how other people interpret the phrase "a clean life."

[Anton Rozman]

Dear friends,

Let me try to ask some fundamental questions in regard to the Esoteric School from common sense perspective.

It was said that the Esoteric School was formed to allow the TS’ members to follow definite path of self-discipline which leads ultimately to the chelaship and therefore to the connection with the Master.

Most probably members who follow this particular path have to believe that this Master actually exists and that education offered through this particular Esoteric School leads to the connection with Him?

If this is the case, is it not that in that way the TS members whose sole “religion” is supposed to be search for Truth and who choose to become members of the Esoteric School are now divided between an attitude of seekers of Truth and an attitude of believers of particular “religion” imposing that following this particular path will lead them to self-realization and connection with the Master, or in more profane words, that this particular mystical path will lead them to the reunion with their (inner) God?

It is said that on this particular path there are many who fail to actually become chelas and that it depends to great extend of the members themselves what the effects of following this particular path will be on them.

But is there anyone who can unequivocally say that at least the Outer Head of the ES has succeeded to become chela and that she is connected with the Master, the Inner Head of the ES, and that the influence of this connection can be clearly seen in her acting as the President of the Theosophical Society?

Or is there anyone who can at least approximately say how many other longstanding Esoteric School members have succeeded to become accepted chelas through the history of the ES?

Anyhow, but how would one evaluate an educational system in which very rare succeed to graduate, in which there is great danger and possibility that the effects of this educational system on pupils will be negative, which doesn’t have incorporated measures to prevent these negative effects and which doesn’t make visible selection between those who are getting positive effects from the system and those who have to face its negative effects?

Is there anyone who can list positive effects of attending this particular educational system that can not be achieved through any other similar system?

The TS Declaration on Freedom of the Society says that the TS “is and must remain an organization entirely independent …, not committed to any objects save its own, … by remaining free of affiliation or identification with any other organization.”

If it said that the Esoteric School is a separate organization from the TS can we also say that it is not affiliated to the TS if it has no existence without the TS?

If certain number of the Theosophical Society’s members seek self-fulfillment through Esoteric School what are the effects of this choice on the fulfillment of the objects of the Theosophical Society, or at least on the fulfillment of its first object? Does this choice actually enforce it or diminish it?

Is it legally acceptable that the Esoteric Section uses resources and property of the Theosophical Society for its functioning if in the TS Memorandum of Association it is declared that they shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Society?

In the TS Declaration on Freedom of Thought it is said that “Every member has an equal right to attach himself to any teacher or to any school of thought which he may choose, but has no right to force his choice on any other.”

Does not special position or affiliation of the Esoteric School (in comparison with other organizations) with the Theosophical Society imply that choice of this particular school of thought is “forced” on the members of the Theosophical Society?

Is it not true that only with the de facto separation between the Theosophical Society and the Esoteric School the fundamental principles of the Society can be “defended and acted upon”?

Therefore the question is not to stop or not to stop the Esoteric School - this is the issue which only members of the ES have right to discuss. The issue is that members of the TS have the right to attach themselves to any school of thought or none and that they can defend and preserve this right only with strict application of TS’ Constitution and Declarations.

Warmest regards,
Anton