Art or the Pulpit? The two Pronged Approach to Spirituality.

"We are facing unsettling times when peace of mind and harmony are much sought after conditions. Unfortunately, where there is a need often the snake oil salesmen appear from the woodwork.

I am talking about the mysterious “Ancient Wisdom” often enough to get emails that asks; ”Ok, where can I learn this Ancient Wisdom, reliably and for FREE?”

People have natural instincts, well from the few obvious gullible, who know and realize that God’s consciousness and peace of mind is not something they would have to BUY.”

I have three recommendations for them;

1 Agni Yoga Society on the Internet (free books to download) a Yahoo group to visit.
2 Vedanta Centers around the US are also great who like their style and delivery.
3 Theosophical Society (books, videos and lectures)

Now these three are a good start. I have used two out of the three, and I can vouch for them. I have yet to visit the Vedanta Center in Sacramento.

The concept of the Vedanta is very simple. There is a world wide organization of Swamis (teachers) who dedicate their life to God. They are poor and depend on fundraisings but their heart is of gold.

The Theosophical Society has split into two groups and the real one (i.e. the one I find better) is in Wheaton Ill, and India. Also the Agni Yoga group is somewhat tainted with some dubious characters and so called “gurus”, but all in all,it is a good source. BE DISCRIMINATING, that is the key........"

reposted in part from my web site,the Ancient Wisdom Blog

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Comment by Katinka Hesselink on May 23, 2009 at 3:40am: If a few of those people who appreciate us would join the TS, it would surely become an even more inspiring organization :)

Comment by Charles Cosimano on May 22, 2009 at 9:41pm: Those of us in the Theosophical Society usually do not realize the effect our organization has had and the esteem it is held in by those not among us. We tend to view ourselves as holdovers from another century, a time long past and our programs near death experiences as given the age of the attendees we never know who near us is going to drop dead during the program either of old age or sheer boredom.

Then we encounter everyone else! I vividly remember when we went off to the 1993 World Parliament of Religions, expecting to be as out of place as a group from a convent school at a cheerleading camp when, to our great amazement, people would find out that we were with the Theosophical Society/Adyar and fall down and worship us as semi-divine beings come among them to spread wisdom and blessings. That we did not all leave as total egomaniacs is a minor miracle.

We may measure our influence best by our enemies. The fundamentalist conspiracy nuts always find reason to damn our beloved HPB, but when was the last time you ever heard of them say a word about Bulwer Lytton?

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on May 20, 2009 at 10:38am: yes, I'm a card carrying member (actually we have a diploma for some reason). I'm also an active volunteer for a local lodge and help maintain the national Dutch TS website.

Comment by andrasnm on May 20, 2009 at 10:36am: very good point, Joe. Being first is great, but unfortunately sometimes organizational entropy sets in. For example my former yoga teacher was part of the Philosophical Research Society while Manly Palmer Hall was still alive. He was a board member and lecturer in Los Angeles, where the PRC still located. After MP Hall died he was to take over but unfortunately other forces were also in play (as always), now the "light is completely out" at the PRS. Too bad since MP Hall was a giant and great contributor to man's wisdom.

Comment by andrasnm on May 20, 2009 at 10:16am: Thanks for the clarification, Katinka. BTW, I am just curious what is your affiliation with the organization? Are you a "card carrying" member? (no bias indented by this) :)

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on May 20, 2009 at 9:12am: BTW - Leadbeater and Besant were involved in the Krishnamurti thing - Olcott had already passed on (in 1907 I think).

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on May 20, 2009 at 9:11am: No, the krishnamurti thing is much later. It did play a part in loosing Steiner though.

Comment by andrasnm on May 20, 2009 at 9:03am: I thought the real reason for the split was the Krishnamurti affair whereby he was announced to be the next Mayitrea by Olcott and then he ultimately refused the "label". At any rate organizations that are over a 100 year old ALL have skeletons in the closet and buffoons in the management/hierarchy. The nice thing about
Agin Yoga -no organization, hence no structure…

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on May 20, 2009 at 8:11am: yes, that's theosophical history.

here's a theosophical chronology that includes the major splits. And here's my writeup about the main split - aka the Judge Case.

Comment by andrasnm on May 20, 2009 at 7:24am: I am interested in finding out more about the "split"....but that I suspect is history only.....my "aha" moment of realization and awakening was due to the video's viewed by Ed Abhill (consequently I also bought his book)....so there is no small coincidence that I owe a debt and gratitude to the organization.