证道学学会

The Singapore Lodge Theosophical Society

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The following articles are reproduced from the November 2024 Newsletter to members. Non-members may or may not be able to relate to the contents.

Significance of The Theosophical Society

“You and your colleagues may help furnish the materials for a needed universal religious philosophy; one impregnable to scientific assault because itself the finality of absolute science; and, a religion, that is indeed worthy of the name, since it includes the relations of man physical to man psychical, and of the two to all that is above and below them. Is not this worth a slight sacrifice? And if after reflection you should decide to enter this new career, let it be known that your Society is no miracle-mongering or banqueting club, nor specially given to the study of phenomenalism. Its chief aim is to extirpate current superstitions and skepticism, and, from long sealed ancient fountains to draw the proof that man may shape his own future destiny, and know for a certainty that he can live hereafter, if he only wills; and that all “phenomena” are but manifestations of natural law, to try to comprehend which is the duty of every intelligent being.”

A Master of The Wisdom

 

The Theosophical Society

 

On the occasion of the 149th anniversary of the founding of The Theosophical Society, it is perhaps appropriate to quote a few words of what was written by C. W. Leadbeater in the Inner Life about The Theosophical Society. He wrote:

 

“It would appear that some of its members have not quite comprehended the position of this Theosophical Society to which they belong. It is not a Society which is formed merely for the promotion of learning in some special branch, like the Royal Asiatic or the Royal Geographical Societies; still less is it a Church, which exists only to spread some particular form of doctrine. It has a place in modern life which is all its own, for its origin is unlike that of any other body at present existing. To understand this origin we must glance for a moment at the hidden side of the history of the world.

 

All students of occultism are aware that the evolution of the world is not being left to run its course haphazard, but that its direction and administration are in the hands of a great Hierarchy of Adepts, sometimes called the White Brotherhood. To that Brotherhood belong Those whom we name the Masters, because They are willing under certain conditions to accept as pupils those who prove themselves worthy of the honour. But not all Adepts are Masters; not all will take such pupils; many of Them, though equal in occult rank, have the whole of Their time occupied in quite other ways, though always for the helping of evolution.

 

For the better surveillance and management of the field of action, They have mapped out the world into districts, much as the Church divides its territory into parishes (though these are parishes of continental size), and an Adept presides over each of these districts just as a priest does over his parish. But sometimes the Church makes a special effort, not connected specially with any one of its parishes, but intended for the good of all; it sends forth what is called a “home mission,” with the object of stirring up faith and arousing enthusiasm all over a country, the benefits obtained being in no way a matter of personal gain to the missioners, but going to increase the efficiency of the ordinary parishes.

 

In a certain way the Theosophical Society corresponds to such a mission, the ordinary religious divisions of the world being the parishes; for this Society comes forth among them all, not seeking to take away from any one of them those people who are following it, but striving to make them understand it and live it better than they ever did before, and in many cases giving back to them on a higher and more intelligent level the faith in it which they had previously all but lost. Yes, and other men too, who had nominally no religion—who, though at heart of the religious type, have yet been unable to accept the crudities of orthodox teaching—have found in Theosophy a presentation of the truth to which, because of its inherent reasonableness and wide tolerance, they are able heartily to subscribe. We have among our members Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Jews, Muhammadans and Christians, and no one of them all has ever heard or read from any of the officials of our Society a word against the religion to which he belongs; indeed, in many cases the work of the Society has produced a distinct revival of religious interest in places where it has been established.

 

Why this should be so is readily comprehensible when we remember that it is from this same great Brotherhood that all the religions of the world have their origin. In this true though hidden government of the world there is a department of Religious Instruction, and the Head of that department has founded all the different religions either personally or through some pupil, suiting the teaching given in each case to the people for whom it was destined, and to the period in the world’s history which had then been reached. They are simply different presentations of the same teaching, as may at once be seen by comparing them. The external forms vary considerably, but the broad essentials are always the same. By all the same virtues are commended; by all the same vices are condemned; so that the daily life of a good Buddhist or a good Hindu is practically identical with that of a good Christian or a good Muhammadan. They do the same things, but they call them by different names; one spends much time in prayer, and the other in meditation, but really their exercises are the same, and they all agree that the good man must be just, kindly, generous and true.

 

Many have joined the Society without knowing anything of the inner opportunities which it offers, or the close relation with the great Masters of Wisdom into which it may bring its members. Many have come into it almost carelessly, with but little thought or comprehension of the importance of the step which they have taken; and there have been those who have left it equally carelessly, just because they have not fully understood.

 

Even those have gained something, though far less than they might have gained if they had had greater intelligence. The Countess Wachtmeister tells how once when some casual visitors called to see Madame Blavatsky and offered to join the Society, she immediately sent for the necessary forms and admitted them. After they had gone, the Countess seems to have said half-remonstratingly that not much could be expected from them, for even she could see that they were joining only from motives of curiosity or courtesy.

 

“That is true,” said Madame Blavatsky, “but even this formal act has given them a small karmic link with the Society, and that, little as it is, will mean at least something for them in the future.”

 

Some have deserted simply from a fear that if they remained in the Society they might be identified with some idea of which they disapprove. This is not only selfishness but self-conceit; what does it matter what is thought or said of any of us, so long as the Master’s work is done and the Master’s plan carried out? We must learn to forget ourselves and think only of that work. It is true that that work will be done in any case, and that the place of those who refuse to do it will quickly be supplied. So it may be asked, what do defections matter? They do not matter to the work, but they matter very much to the deserter, who has thrown away an opportunity which may not recur for many incarnations. Such action shows a lack of all sense of proportion, an utter ignorance of what the Society really is and of the inner side of its work.

 

This work which our Masters are doing, this work of the evolution of humanity, is the most fascinating thing in the whole world. Sometimes those of us who have been able to develope the faculties of the higher planes have been allowed a glimpse of that mighty scheme—have witnessed the lifting of a tiny corner of the veil. I know of nothing more stirring, more absorbingly interesting. The splendour, the colossal magnitude of the plans take away one’s breath, yet even more impressive is the calm dignity, the utter certainty of it all. Not individuals only, but nations, are the pieces in this game; but neither nation nor individual is compelled to play any given part. The opportunity to play that part is given to it or to him; if he or it will not take it, there is invariably an understudy ready to step in and fill the gap.”

 

Let’s rejoice in being a small part of this great movement—The Theosophical Society!

 

 

What Theosophy Gives

By Geoffrey Hodson

An extract from Sharing the Light, Volume I, reprinted from The American Theosophist, Vol. 29, Issue 1, January 1941

 

Theosophy gives a sense of the worth of life, a realization of its supreme importance which inspires and nerves its students to evolutionary effort.

 

Theosophy provides a coordinating philosophy of life and opens up to the thought and aspiration of the student the vast vistas of the future with their challenge to the present.

 

Theosophy, by revealing the great plan of life, sends the student on his way into that future confident, serene, knowing that happiness and fulfilment await him.

 

Theosophy offers a scientific philosophy of life which embraces both the physical and superphysical worlds, each with their varied forces and phenomena. Nevertheless, Theosophy affirms that each man can, and eventually must, win his own spiritual experience and understanding.

 

Theosophy teaches that every man has tremendous spiritual power at his disposal. This power, he can discover and release both for his own regeneration and for the regeneration of the race. He who discovers and radiates this inner force becomes as a pillar of light in both the spiritual and the material worlds.

 

Theosophy inculcates in the student reverence for the Divine Life in all beings and in all things, reverence for those greater than himself, reverence for every woman as mother or potential mother and preserver of the race, for every child as symbol of the Christ Child, ‘for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven’.

 

Theosophy gives to each his own deeply religious faith consistent with scientific thought. This faith need not be blind. It can be founded upon direct inner experience and be therefore unshakeable.

 

Theosophy thus emancipates the spirit of man from the wall of suffocating dogmatism, which, upheld by formalism and the inculcation of fear, so long closed in upon that spirit and stifled its voice.

 

Theosophy strikes the note of spiritual and intellectual freedom and this great note The Theosophical Society sounds forth continually.

 

Theosophy teaches the divinity of man as a spirit, the uniqueness of man as a soul and the freedom of man as a Personality. Yet within that uniqueness and that freedom exists the fact of unity. From realization of unity springs the greater love, the impersonal love for all that lives.

 

This impersonal and selfless love guides every thought and action of the true Theosophist. By it, he knows, the world and all within it will one day be set free from the darkness of ignorance, sorrow and pain.

 

To that great day of liberation the Theosophist looks. For it he works, confident that by his labours, and by the labours of all who love their fellow men, the age of light, of brotherhood and of peace will dawn upon earth.

 

In abundance, these riches of the mind and spirit Theosophy gives to the world.

 

 

 

Foundation Day Celebration

 

We shall celebrate in advance the 149th anniversary of the founding of The Theosophical Society on Saturday, 16 November at 4:30 p.m. at the Lodge. Let us rejoice together with a look at our history.

 

 

54th Edition of A Course in Theosophy

 

As part of our continuing effort to achieve our twin-object of popularizing a knowledge of theosophy and induction of new members, we will be starting our 54th edition of A Course in Theosophy on Saturday, 23 November 2024.

 

Theosophy encompasses the science of life and the philosophy of living and has helped many people in the world. All members can help in the mission of popularizing a knowledge of theosophy. Get your relatives and friends to enroll for the 54th Edition of this popular course which is conducted only once or twice a year. More than 3,000 individuals have attended this free course since 1998. To enroll, just send an email giving full name and contact no. to act@singaporelodge.org

 

The schedule of the next course is posted on our website at singaporelodge.org/btc_dates.htm.

 

 

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