Human: The Theosophical View

Can't resist asking... are you human? I am starting to question what humans are.

Under the FAQ's "what is Theosophy" #1 Divine/Human/Nature Triangle:

The Theosophist explores the interactions, dependencies and invisible correlations between the Divine/Human/Nature. Understanding this reality is their primary pursuit. The triangle represents the three principles upon which Theosophy is based. The first principle is the existence of a Divine, which eastern theosophists have termed as “unknowable” in its totality. Part of it can be known by what is created by the Divine, i.e., the Creation. The second principle is Nature. The third principle is the human who is endowed with a special intelligence capable of knowing about these things. Theosophy is a means for exploring relationships amongst the three principles, laws governing those relationships, and predictions based on those laws.
The nature of humans and humanity is a driving force for a continual journey to improve the state of humanity through understanding the origin, purpose and end (goal) of all that exists. Relationships between man and the Divine, man and Nature, and man and other human beings create an active journey.

I feel un-human the more I read this:

5. Practice of Concordance: The belief that there is one universal common perennial tradition or religion that is the same for all cultures and times, often referred to as the universal or universalism.

If the above is true then we are definitely something other then human in an universal thought so to speak. If we say we are human wouldn't that contradict "practice of concordance"?

If there is more life in the universe other than the life here on Earth how would that change the status quo of Earthlings?

What exactly is a "human" universally thinking?

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by John on April 20, 2013 at 10:58am

"What exactly is a "human" universally thinking? "

This is not about biology.

A good example of Concordance is the esoteric belief that there is only one perennial wisdom religion/tradition. ie. 5 is true within that specific esoteric system. Those people may be able to answer your question: "What exactly is a "human" universally thinking? "

A good example of rejecting Concordance would be Anekantavada ; a part of Jainism. i,e, 5 is not true

Acceptance of 5 has caused many wars... "my religion is the only one that is correct" etc..

Acceptance of 5 also has caused great discord within esoteric organizations.

John

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Permalink Reply by Seth Edwards on April 20, 2013 at 9:07pm

I'd say a human is one still within the confines of the materialism that is a product of our unique earth, and our unique adaptations to this earth. Once materialism is truly breached, I believe you become something else. Something "universal."

Then again, "human" is just a word. I've found it's best not to get to hung up on any particular word; words are just a symbol used to represent a pattern. The non-materialistic or "spiritual" people still, in many many ways, fit the pattern of "human." In the most important ways though, I agree, they're no longer "human," and are instead universal.

We are, and we aren't, human- if that makes sense.