Dear Member,
By Enquiries
Glimpses into the Purpose of the theosophical Society
Last month saw the end of the first year's series of letters. In the succeeding ten letters, which will complete the entire series of letters to new members, some of the questions raised in letters which have come from many of you will be addressed. Therefore, in these final letters there will not be any 'Creative Living Experiences' to accompany them but, as we suggested in our last letter, you may wish to compose your own 'creative experience' for the ideas we will be presenting.
Probably one of the most frequently asked questions is why the Society does not take a stand on critical social and political issues of the day. A variation of that question is another one: Why does the Society itself not engage in practical humanitarian activities for the amelioration of suffering? These questions come quite naturally from a deep desire to see the First Object, the ideal of brotherhood, given expression in outer, discernible ways. These are honest concerns and deserve a thoughtful response.
So in attempting to answer these questions, several points need to be considered. First, what is the reason for the Society's existence? Second, what emphasis does the Society give to the concept of brotherhood? And third, what is the Society's policy on freedom of thought? Actually, these points are mutually interdependent, as we shall see.
H.P. Blavatsky, who gave the Society its original spiritual impetus, stated that its primary purpose was to bring about a change in consciousness, to 'leaven the minds of the times', to use her words. Such a change in consciousness must come about in every individual before any contribution can be made to the world about us. You will remember that in Letter No. 1, we quoted a statement from The Key to Theosophy: 'Theosophy is the shoreless ocean of universal truth, love and wisdom, reflecting its radiance on the earth. The Theosophical Society was formed to assist in showing to men that such a thing as Theosophy exists and to help them ascend toward it by studying and assimilating its eternal verities.' This statement is called to your attention again only because it is something all of us are inclined to lose sight of as the years go by, particularly when we see conditions in the world which seem to need correcting. Some members tend to feel that the Society is too idealistic and that it should take an activist role in bringing about reforms.
Is this really the case? To undertake reforms before we ourselves have an understanding of the deeper, underlying principles - those 'eternal verities' of which H.P.B. wrote - is to place the emphasis on limited horizons. Mr. N. Sri Ram, a former International President, once said: 'We are not aiming at sundry superficial reforms but at bringing about a radical revolution in the hearts and minds of people, so that out of that revolution all kinds of beautiful possibilities may be realised.' Theosophy gives us a new vision and, when studied deeply, inspires in us a deeper and more tender compassion for all life. It is not so much concerned with specific categories of activity as it is with that inner transformation which brings to birth in each of us our own design for creative living and acting.
It has been said that the chief business of a theosophist is to help establish in the world a new conception of life - a conception based on the recognition of the deep and fundamental unity of existence. Brotherhood must become a living experience for every individual.
So the emphasis which the Society gives to the ideal of brotherhood is a universal one. If a world brotherhood (a term which can also be understood to denote sisterhood) is ever formed it must first exist in the minds and hearts of individuals. Members of the Theosophical Society have a special responsibility in this regard. The Three Objects as a whole point the way to a further development in the cultural history of humanity, and the First Object particularly we are concerned with a degree of human solidarity in which differences are not obliterated but harmonised. This is really the most intensely practical emphasis which can be given, for such a global relationship is the ultimate solution to the world's social and economic ills.
To insist that the principle of brotherhood be applied by every member in any specific manner would be a violation of that principle itself. For inherent in this ideal is another principle which has been carefully preserved in the Society from the very beginning: that is the principle of individual freedom. As we will see, this constitutes a basic policy of the Society as emphasised in its official resolutions.
The founders of the Society were deeply concerned that it should not become a stronghold of dogmatism. For this reason, they refused to establish any arbitrary code or system of beliefs or to recommend specific activities in which members should engage. They envisioned the Society as a living and evolving organism through which every member might find the utmost freedom to tread the path of personal unfoldment according to his or her own spiritual vision. For without spiritual vision, all social issues, all humanitarian projects, can lose their significance and can even degenerate into mere activity for its own sake. But with the inspiration and wisdom which can be gained from a deep and persistent study of the universal concepts of Theosophy, we can move out, as individuals, into any field of service with greater understanding, greater enthusiasm, greater effectiveness and a greater steadfastness of purpose.
Therefore, because the Society as such does not lay down any particular line of action, members express their understanding of brotherhood in a wide variety of ways, each one leaving the other free to understand how that ideal may be best applied. Theosophists have been responsible for working in many important movements - social, educational and humanitarian, for the alleviation of suffering. We must each decide for ourselves what is the best way in which we can bring about a better world.
In addition, there is an organisation which, while not officially a part of the Theosophical Society, still provides opp0rtunities for the pursuit of theosophical ideals in a number of directions. That organisation is known as the Theosophical Order of Service or T.O.S. It was founded to provide a framework in which people can engage in creative, practical and humanitarian action in a theosophical spirit. A branch of the T.O.S. is active here in Australia, dealing with areas such as peace, justice, the welfare of people and animals, the environment and healing. The motto of the T.O.S. is a very beautiful one: 'A union of all who love, in the service of all who suffer.' Most of the Lodges/Branches in Australia have an active T.O.S. group and new members are warmly invited to join the T.O.S.
For further information, you can contact the person in charge of this activity in your Lodge/Branch, or write directly to the National Director: [email protected] The T.O.S. has a very informative website at: www.australia.theoservice.org In addition, you may be interested in the T.O.S. international website: http://international.theoservice.org/
The Theosophical Society is unique in the world. Those who cherish its priceless freedom, and at the same time value the opportunity to preserve its noble heritage, will want to keep it so. But by all means let us take our individual stand on any issue in which we feel morally and ethically involved. Let us participate in any activity in which we feel moved to engage because we believe it to be an expression of the Society's First Object. Whatever we do must always be our response to, and our expression of, the ever-flowing fountain of beauty, truth, love, and wisdom which is pure Theosophy and which the Society exists to serve.
Articles Available Now — follow the links
Historical Review of the Theosophical Society: A Unique Heritage
