Theos-Talk Archives (May 1996 Message tl00293)

Alexis writes:

" I think that, in the future,
when I feel impelled by anger or resentment to write things that will
continue this exchange, I'm just going to remain silent and stay nothing and
hope others may see fit to respond in my place. I will respond only in cases
in which I can be of service to someone."

Alexis, I am one of majority of TI members and Theos-L subscribers who are
lurkers.  Part of it is that some of us just do not have the time to read, let
alone respond, to all the messages.  But the Theos bulletin boards and TI are an
invaluable means for theosophists to keep in touch with one another.  Without
it, we would only have our personal friendships around the country/world and the
missives coming from the various umbrella headquarters organizations which are
intended, more often than not, to ignore or stifle debate on significant issues.

Alexis, many of your postings are thoughtful and incisive.  As I am involved in
TSA politics as a Lodge president and national director candidate, I am for now
especially interested in views about the TS itself.  I am mindful of your
posting of May 2, 1996 "Re: Everyone is Excluded" to which I had not yet
responded because I have been giving a great deal of thought to what you wrote.
I refer to your comments about the Esoteric School (E.S.) which you characterize
as the "Eminence gris" of the T.S.  Although not an E.S. member myself, not
having felt the need for it in my own spiritual discipline, I have in general
had the greatest respect for theosophists who wish to dedicate themselves to
service to the T.S.  It was my understanding that it is just this that is, or
should be, the motivating factor for E.S. membership, and not some misguided
personality driven need to have a connection to the Masters (Illuminati) through
such membership.

I am beginning to wonder if you may not be correct about your current
characterization of the E.S. and perhaps its leadership.  It appears to me that
E.S. leaders may be abusing their standing to manipulate good and loyal people,
through threat of expulsion and with it some nonsense about being abandoned by
the Masters, if they do not toe the line as set down by the E.S. leaders.  I
find it difficult to otherwise explain the nonsensical rationalization put out
to justify the retroactive disencfrachisement of TSA members from voting in the
current national election, as well as the earlier illegal attempt to abrogate
the autonomy of TSA Lodges through flawed bylaw changes.

As President of a Lodge with 120 members, 3 of whom are E.S. members, I have a
responsibility for all our members including those who choose to also
participate in the E.S. I know the current thinking of the E.S. members who are
in our Lodge.  We could undoubtedly have more E.S. enrollees from amongst our
membership, but we need to know wny. We need to know the agenda of the E.S.  I
would very much like to hear from other E.S. members about the role of the E.S.
in its relationship to T.S.A. or for that matter any other theosophical umbrella
groups if you are inolved in any others.  Here are some questions about the E.S.

Do you seek to and effectively control the T.S.(Adyar) and the T.S.A. both of
whom are headed, coincidentally or not, by E.S. members?
Are you truly dedicated to service to the T.S.?
If so, what does that service mean?
Do you see yourself as a kind of elite within the T.S.?
Do you see other T.S. members who are not also E.S. members as less than equal?
Are you unflinchingly loyal to an E.S. hierarchy?
Are you willing to abrogate the 2nd & 3rd declared objects of the T.S., to
protect the E.S.?
For example, would you expel a T.S. Lodge for studying the Alice Bailey or Sai
Baba teachings?

I would appreciate a thoughtful dialogue on the role of the E.S., especially
from those who participate in it. In my one on one questions to members and
officers of the E.S., I feel that I have largely gotten obfuscated
answers.

Sy Ginsburg, President
The Theosophical Society in Miami & South Florida