Theosophical Society - the organization, its work and its leadership

[sophy]

Theosophical Society as an organization may not have much in common with Theosophy - at least not much more than the Theosophy that may be manifest in many acts of goodness in many places. Same applies to wisdom also, including ‘divine wisdom’. By recognizing this truth, members of the Theosophical Society, may become more humble for the good of all. This humility is not to be an ego-driven attempt to 'become' humble or to project oneself as a humble person. Genuine humility is a great ‘Theosophical Virtue'. The surest sign of humility is accepting truth, however uncomfortable it may be; there is least delusion in humility and there is no dominant ego or selfishness and the resultant conflicts and ego-clashes.

The second Theosophical virtue is selflessness. Selflessness should include ‘egolessness’ or at least the absence of a dominant ego. Any act or program in the Theosophical Society, that strengthens the ego, is anti-theosophical.

Hierarchy-based system such as those prevalent in the EST, the concept of absolute obedience to the ‘Outer Head’ (which probably has been conveniently mistaken for the person rather than something akin to one’s own and collective conscience) and even the very concept of a power-centre as the Head may not have much in common with the above listed Theosophical virtues. Power and ego are inseparable twins, a pathological organism. Such a power-center, to determine the future course of the Theosophical Society and its leadership, may not serve the Theosophical cause but may only serve a power-centre and all its attendant self-serving elements.

‘There is no religion higher than truth’. Even Theosophy (‘the religion’- HPB) cannot be higher than truth. Theosophy, separated from truth, is no Theosophy. In a sense, truth and Theosophy are synonyms. Genuine ‘Universal Brotherhood’ can not be rooted in falsehood and needs the support of truth.

Therefore, any Theosophical work that is not rooted in truth is not theosophical work Any ordinary member or more so a leader, who does not abide by truth, especially, in organizational matters, is not part of Theosophy but may be part of the Society or may even rule the Society that gets dissociated from Theosophy.

Any one bending or breaking the rules of the Society for ego-driven (or selfish) goals causes further dissociation of the Society from Theosophy.

I will try to share more of my understanding, if necessary, after learning from others through their responses to this first posting on ‘Theosophical Society - the organization, its work and its leadership’.

[Janeth]

►"...The surest sign of humility is accepting truth, however uncomfortable it may be;.."<--- Thank you very much!!☺

►"..Any act or program in the Theosophical Society, that strengthens the ego, is anti-theosophical."<---Kindly, will you please give us an example of such an act or program?

►"..Hierarchy-based system such as those prevalent in the EST.."<---There is no such thing as hierarchy as you have put it. As with everything, there is organization; otherwise, we would have chaos. Whether human beings, as such imperfect, are able to understand such organization and abide by the guidelines and discipline, especially in an organization such as EST, and respect it, that is another matter.

►"..Power and ego are inseparable twins.."<---I would use the word 'authority' instead of power. The only entities/people who do have power are government officials, military personnel, Presidents, Judges, and the like.

►"..the concept of absolute obedience to the ‘Outer Head’.."<---That some people out of ignorance have created such idea for themselves does not mean there is such thing as 'absolute obedience' as you put it. One of the greatest things about the Theosophical Society (once again, Theosophy is "Divine Wisdom"; human beings are free to interpret it according to the level of mental, emotional and spiritual evolution they find themselves in. the Theosophical Society is its physical vehicle, managed by human beings, as such imperfect, who try to do the best they can regardless of their own limitations/imperfections), is FREEDOM!!☺ There is no such thing, no where, in the Society as 'absolute obedience'. That some human beings have not developed, yet, enough inner valor, intelligence, wisdom, discrimination.., within to make intelligent personal decisions and be able to discern between the real an unreal, the truth and false, does not mean such thing as 'absolute obedience' exist. This is just another misconception/misinterpretation, as many out there, being broadcast out of ignorance of the facts.

►"Genuine ‘Universal Brotherhood’ can not be rooted in falsehood and needs the support of truth."<---And that "truth" should be expressed in the spirit of "Brotherhood", the Theosophical way. There is no such thing as prosecutors, Judges, jurors in the Society. That some people, unable to have a better control of their 'kama-manas', of their own accord assume such roles, or pretend to make others believe they have the right to assume such "ant-Theosophical" roles, that.., that is another matter.

►"..Therefore, any Theosophical work that is not rooted in truth is not theosophical work.."<---What is truth/real? What is false/unreal? What you may consider 'truth', another person may consider it unreal/false.

►"..Any ordinary member or more so a leader, who does not abide by truth, especially, in organizational matters, is not part of Theosophy but may be part of the Society or may even rule the Society that gets dissociated from Theosophy."<---Yes! I would say, any TS member, regardless of their color, race, religion, believes, and the position he/she has in the Society who does not abide...

►"..Any one bending or breaking the rules of the Society for ego-driven (or selfish) goals causes further dissociation of the Society from Theosophy.."<---Thank you very much!!☺

Do share more of your understanding, will you?!!☺

[sophy]

►"..Power and ego are inseparable twins.."<---I would use the word 'authority' instead of power.

Yes. authority is the right word. Thanks

[sophy]

►"..the concept of absolute obedience to the ‘Outer Head’.."<---.....

What I said is what I understood from the postings in "The Esoteric School Lobby".

[sophy]

Truth: (J krishnamurti) 'Understanding truth is possible only when the false is seen as false.' (Perhaps rejection of notions and ideas and all second-hand knowledge).

[sophy]

I agree with you that "truth" should be expressed in the spirit of "Brotherhood". Truth cannot but express this way only! And therefore, falsehood cannot help brotherhood. Two different raw materials cannot yield the same product. Arriving at truth (which is not a finite exercise) mostly requires elimination of the false and renunciation of the accumulation of knowledge.

[Will Morrow]

Sophy,
Welcome to the Theosophical Community website.
Although my friend, Janeth, has addressed several points, I have a couple of questions about your post.
Your post is the first I have ever heard of "Theosophical virtues." Where did this come from?
You stated: "In a sense, truth and Theosophy are synonyms." Can you elaborate on that? HPB said: "Everything is illusion (Maya) outside of eternal truth, which has neither form, colour, nor limitation." Theosophy has definite form, colour and limitation as does the professed truth of Theosophists, including many of the thoughts in your post.
The way you've stated your understandings of the EST suggest your understanding is inaccurate. There is another post in this forum by Anand Gholap which addresses the EST specifically and in great detail (although it doesn't appear that any of the contributors in his poat are participants in the EST). Are you a participant in the EST?
Can you describe how you believe an individual's ego fits into their personality and the role it plays (or should play) in human development and the pursuit of human activities? (This may be a topic for a different forum discussion other than Organizational)

[sophy]

Q: Your post is the first I have ever heard of "Theosophical virtues." Where did this come from?

A: Came from me, to me! (from my understanding of living a life guided by Theosophy)

[sophy]

Q: "In a sense, truth and Theosophy are synonyms." Can you elaborate on that? HPB said: "Everything is illusion (Maya) outside of eternal truth, which has neither form, colour, nor limitation." Theosophy has definite form, colour and limitation as does the professed truth of Theosophists, including many of the thoughts in your post.

A: Anything that is fixed ( as you say) in tems of form, color, and limitation may not have much to do with what we call as 'eternal truth'. Same holds good for 'professed truth'. Even eternal truth may not be a fixed entity and cannot be professed. Anything considered us understood (by the mind) is not the truth.

[sophy]

Can you describe how you believe an individual's ego fits into their personality and the role it plays (or should play) in human development and the pursuit of human activities? (This may be a topic for a different forum discussion other than Organizational)

This will have to be answered through a discussion and there may be many answers. For the purpose of the topic, suffice to say, we must guard against the dominant ego creating disorder, conflict and chaos.

[sophy]

►"..Any act or program in the Theosophical Society, that strengthens the ego, is anti-theosophical."<---Kindly, will you please give us an example of such an act or program?

I am not saying there are acts carried out or programs designed specifically for strengthening the ego! I am saying that we have to guard against acts and programs that carry the potential to strengthen the ego or done with a view to seek any kind of progress for the self. The simplest example is argument on who is right on theories and concepts during lodge meetings and another one is comparing contributions of different people for organizational programs. (I have witnessed many such instances).

Based on recent communications, other general examples could be:

Election and contest for official positions (instead of consensus for assigning roles), seeking opportunities to promote oneself or one's kin or support-groups as a speakers through programs of various forums such as convention, even having goals such as 'spiritual progress' for oneself through rituals and mind-strengthening and knowledge accumulating practices; stacking various committees and councils with personal loyalists for the security of one's own position, manipulating and misinterpreting organizational rules to push personal agenda, intolerance of criticism and treating criticism as opposition, rewarding (incompetent) loyalists with organizational positions and punishing or sidelining those who dissent or disagree.