Pentateuch Wisdom

[Nick the Pilot]

Andrew,

You said,

"...the faculty of Buddhi is NOT something we must pray for, or ask God to bestow upon us...."

--> Correct. It must be earned, like a college degree, like everything else of value.

"...the path of Probationary, or pledged discipleship ... is certainly the beginning of the road that leads to Accepted Discipleship and Initiation."

--> Certainly, both of us are talking about what happens when a person decides to join the Path. But this is a decision they must make for themself, and no one can help them with this decision. And, without question, we are not allowed to proselytize them towards this goal. Because of these limitations, the number of people knocking on the door to the Path is small, and there is not much we can do about it. All we can do is be role models, live the exemplary life, and teach by example. Only if one sees how we live and ask what it is that makes us live they way we do, can we even consider discussing how to speed up progress to the Path. We teach by example, not by prostelytizing.

The other factor is karma. Many people have remarked they have had the good karma to find Theosophy in this lifetime. The bottom line is, many people do not have the "good" karma to find Theosophy yet, and there is nothing we can do about it.

"One can even dispute the existence of the Masters, and be far along on that Path ..."

--> The good new is, if they are willing to dispute the Masters, that means the Masters are on their minds, and they are ready to hear about the Masters.

"I'm convinced that it's worth sharing something of the reality of the Masters, and of their students, simply to ensure that the concepts are out there, and in order to provide people with a hint of reality ..."

--> It is a plus/minus situation. It would be nice to get the word out. On the other hand, the Masters are very busy, and if we bring them another load of negativity, it might interefere with what they are already doing. It is a situation that requires great balance.

"...but at heart I am (or seek to be) a Christian...."

--> Theosophy does NOT ask anyone to stop being a Christian. It only asks that Christians re-apply original teachings that have been intentionally removed from Christianity. Theosophy is not anti-Christianity. It is pro-teachings, like teaching who the "us" people in Genesis 1:26 were, and why that teaching has been intentionally removed from the Bible (along with a long list of other teachings that have been intentionally removed).

"... .. since I believe we, many of us, are doing the best we can to follow upon His Teaching(s), and tread the Path, behind Him, which He helped to show us."

--> This is exactly what Theosophy is trying to do.

"Some have trodden the Path of the Buddha, before Him...."

--> ...And the lost history of what has gone on before, is what Theosophy teaches. Entire civilizations have disappeared, and Theosophy reintroduces the lessons that were learned (and forgottn) at that time.

"Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"

--> Yes, there are those people who would say such things about the Masters. No, we must not cause more negative events like these.

"...the Greeks - even Aristotle, the most pragmatic and scientific of the great Philosophers - definitely believed in mankind as possessing a consciousness beyond the normal, rational Intellect."

--> It is the task of Theosophy to re-teach that have become lost in the march of history, like the example you have pointed out.

"...I am convinced that even Christianity (yes, EVEN Christianity) ... has not shut itself off from the Pierian Spring."

--> We can only hope we can turn closed-mindedness into open-mindedness. Alas, you seem more optimistic than me.

"...two fifths of the 60 billion shall complete their evolution AFTER the great `Judgment Day' of the following Round."

--> Perhaps the best thing we can do is tell them they will be held responsible for everything they do (just like the Bible says), instead of letting them think a certain religious ritual will "save" them from accountability.

"Especially when one religion tells us X, another tells us Y, and yet a third suggests Z, each one denying what the OTHER has suggested, and insisting that IT ALONE holds the "way" to `Salvation.' "

--> Any religion that tells me a great man will go to Hell just because he does not belong to the right religion is no religion at all.

"...I think we have addressed the idea of Salvation...."

--> We have. It is called Nirvana, which is a whole lot fairer than anything else I have seen, by far.

"...we have gone out of our way to show that NO ONE is "left behind," or unaccounted for in the Theosophical view."

--> ...And, no other system can make that claim.

"...if we have forgotten that most unambiguous lesson of Matthew 18:3."

--> I am not Christian. Refresh my memory.

"The conversion that is called for - clearly being one from vice into virtue, and from unrighteousness into righteous living - has been so misinterpreted, so distored and even WILLfully twisted, by the theologians and ecclesiastics of the day, that the Theosophists and Esotericists well have their work cut out for them ... even for many ages to come!"

--> I believe the day of universal understanding is closer than you think. Then it will be only a matter of enjoying the bad karma and burning off the bad karma we have earned. This is a not-too-distant day I am very much looking forward to.

"PROVE to me that there are Mahatmas, says the doubting ... umm, gentleman."

--> The best response is, when you have earned the good karma to enjoy their teachings, your proof will arrive on that day.

"It is not expected that the layperson will immediately recognize, or identify, or understand, but upon study and persistent, determined effort, one CANNOT BUT meet with results."

--> Assuming they have the karma to allow such an event to happen.

"...there are those whose job it is to PLANT THE SEEDS."

--> Plant, yes. Proselytize, no. We teach by example.

"...that we are working towards a better day, and a time when there's a bit less shoveling, and a whole lot more seed-planting."

--> That is the promise of Theosophy. In Christianity, if someone does not get it right in one lifetime, they are done for. Theosophy, on the other hand, offers the same person hundreds of second chances. (This gets back to Theosophy being much fairer than anything else I have seen.)

"...if 99% of the seeds DID FALL on fertile soil, and take root, and spring up, and bear fruit? What then?"

--> Theosophy promises that day WILL COME someday. Theosophy is the very picture of optimism.

"In an ideal, efficient system (a Master's Ashram operates with Divine Efficiency, bordering upon Perfection) ... it is known that many of the seeds scattered will not take immediate root, and bear fruit, but it is also known that not a single thought cast into the ethers of Space, is without its positive result."

--> This is where Theosophy shines. Progress is slow — much slower than most people realize. But it is supposed to be slow. We should not try to rush things.

"...I think we can reach a point where Silence is the only voice we have left with which to speak."

(1) Teach by example.

(2) Remain silent until asked.