Theos-Talk Archives (May 1999 Message tl00034)

mark wrote:

>> To those of you who feel inclined to speak on behalf of 
an understanding of traditional Theosophy (as I'm sure 
there are many), I only ask that for my own clarity, you 
specify your position as either Theosophic or Traditionally 
Buddhist. Thanks for your kind indulgence.>>

I am *theosophic* I suppose. 

>>  Basically, my question is, it is necessary to struggle 
against one's "nature" to gain liberation? Or is there a 
wise and enlightened attitude of understanding and 
cooperation with nature that is possible? Must we reject 
and struggle against our nature or seek to understand and 
accept it to gain liberation? Isn't this what mindfulness 
(and Jungian Individuation) is all about? >>

This is the question Krishnamurti deals with most, I do not 
think traditional Theosophy (as in HPB) has an answer to 
that. The way I have understood it so far (it is a very 
important question obviously that goes to the heart of 
spiritual life and my understandig is not complete :-) ) is 
in short: 
"Don't just do something, sit there". 
Or: observe what happens, but do not stop acting as life 
demands action of you. Or again: when you see trouble, you 
will act, action is natural. Observation is neccessary to 
come to an action based on all the smaller and bigger 
aspects of life. That is an answer to the question (which 
is not precisely what you asked) how to live life so as to 
gain enlightenment NOW. 
(this was my understanding of Krishnamurti now follows my 
understanding of HPB, a lot less interesting on this 
subject, I think)
The way I understand it evolution is a slow process, when 
it just runs its course it will eventually lead to 
Buddhahood, according to my understanding of theosophy, but 
it will take a comparitively very long time. 

>> i.e., is even the cosmic hierarch of a maha-manvantara 
conditioned by a superior law of karma,subject to it's own 
relative ignorance/enlightenment, swabhava and 
tanha regardless of the manifested dimensions that it would 
occupy?>>

Every thing according to theosophy is subject to the laws 
of Karma, I don't know how ignorant those higher beings 
are. Can we know that?

> Why, upon enlightenment, did the Buddha get up and teach?

Because he loved mankind and the rest of nature. Again, 
this is as far as I know the theosophical answer, but then, 
I might have it from a buddhistic source. Certainly the 
story is that Krishnamurti was asked one day, in one of his 
last lectures: Why have you gone to all this trouble, 
lecturing all your life. Krishnaji said: "Because I love 
you."

Katinka
----------------------
NHL Leeuwarden
hesse600@tem.nhl.nl