Comment

Comment by Susan Thomas on June 12, 2009 at 12:55am

Notice how mention of the ES killed this thread? I've seen mention of the ES kill living things, too.

Comment by Susan Thomas on June 7, 2009 at 10:07am

BTW, you are obviously welcome here, as are people who agree or disagree with anybody. The main issue is that people need to form their own opinions, and this article started a very valuable string of thought processes that encourage people to really think about "What is our aim?" If our aim is to dangle a carrot of spiritual development ahead the human race, then maybe we should make the carrot a little more appetizing?

Comment by Susan Thomas on June 7, 2009 at 10:01am

Thank you for your realization of how some Americans feel about Radha. It is unfortunate, but true. When I first joined the society in 1986, and analyzed how I reacted to Radha, I, too attributed her demeanor to shyness. However, over the years it has occurred to me that in order to be an effective world leader, people can use a little Public Relations advice when dealing with other cultures, and she either has not had that or has disregarded it, because as much as I have changed (in my approach to teaching and communicating) she has remained the same. Admittedly, the message has remained constant, but the presentation has rotted on the vine. I, too prefer content to presentation, but to reach newer generations presentations must be flexible. The issue may not be as much as American/European/Indian as it is generational. Sometimes presentation is the message.

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on June 7, 2009 at 7:54am

While I'm defending Radha - I'd like to go on record that as far as my vision of where theosophy should be going is concerned, I feel closer to Radha Burnier than to John Algeo. That is: content wise. Her On the Watchtower articles are usually to the point, relevant to today's concerns and caring.

When it comes to presentation I feel closer to the Quest approach, but I'd take content over presentation any day. Of course John Algeo and Betty Bland both realize and try to work with the internet, where Radha is slow on that score (though improving, I think). But again - that's presentation, not essentials.

This thread has made me realize though that Radha probably doesn't strike a nerve with US members very well. That realization stayed subliminal when I was at Wheaton a few years ago, but you all calling her arrogant brought it to the fore. I think she isn't so much arrogant as shy. And, being Indian, she doesn't know how to relate to USA flashiness. I didn't know how to deal with that myself when I lived in Austin TX as a kid. Learning though.

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on June 7, 2009 at 7:28am

Anyhow, I don't think Radha is being arrogant, and she doesn't mention the ES in her article. She's just saying what every theosophical teacher has said starting with Blavatsky: that there are levels to the understanding and practice of theosophy. Being a good person, devoting time to helping others, all that is merely step one - however important a first step it may be. Ultimately theosophy is about finding a universal kindness within oneself - a kindness that is impartial to friend or foe, to family or stranger, to countryman or 'enemy', to cultural background and sex. That impartiality is hard to find, harder to maintain - and while helping others may certainly help in acquiring it, it may also hinder. After all - helping others may make one feel better than others, and that arrogance is spiritually detrimental.

It's true it's not her best article - I put it on my website because it was digitalized and not available online yet.

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on June 7, 2009 at 7:13am

Yes, that's what I meant - but I'd rather hear from Joe himself what HE meant.

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on June 7, 2009 at 2:42am

I personally rather like her stress on human regeneration. And that too may well be what she's hinting at.

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on June 7, 2009 at 2:41am

So you're saying that people who don't agree with Radha aren't welcome here?

Comment by Susan Thomas on June 6, 2009 at 5:20pm

Thank you Katinka. I appreciate your input. Someday maybe I will be in a position to know just exactly what "the master's work" is. Until then, I will just slog away in my social work, hoping that one less person in my home town goes to bed hungry or homeless because of something I have done, or finds a ray of hope because of something I have said. When the masters want me to do something else, they know where to find me.

Comment by Katinka Hesselink on June 6, 2009 at 2:28pm

I don't think it's Leadbeater, I think it's Krishnamurti.... See: http://www.allconsidering.com/2009/jiddu-krishnamurti-theosophy-occ...

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