Active Theosophy
Theosophy, as is generally understood, involves finding and studying wisdom that is eternal. However, many a times such study takes so much of effort and concentration that theosophers begin to place their own progress over the progress of their fellow human beings.
The great teacher Buddha understood this and in one of the foundational texts of Buddhism, Lankavatara Sutra, in chapter 11 titled Nirvana he teaches:
The teaching of Nirvana in which there is no substrate left behind, is revealed according to a hidden meaning for the sake of these disciples who still cling to thoughts of Nirvana for themselves, that they may be inspired to exert themselves in the Bodhisattva's mission of emancipation for all beings.
The Transformation-Buddhas teach a doctrine of Nirvana to meet conditions as they find them, and to give encouragement to the timid and selfish. In order to turn their thoughts away from themselves and to encourage them to a deeper compassion and more earnest zeal for others, they are given assurance as to the future by the sustaining power of the Buddhas of Transformation...
It is not difficult to find the parallels in other thought systems.
Several commentators have described this teaching as Buddha having forsaken his own Nirvana until all other beings achieved it.
What does it mean for us in the current context? Should we get involved more in the community, in the opinion making, environment, economics, helping others etc., or remain a passive student of ancient texts, symbols, wisdom?
What should be more important in our life? Bringing a smile on the face of a crying child or deciphering of an ancient symbol?
What is Active Theosophy?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Capt. Anand Kumar on
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Thanks Seth. Would that be sufficient reason to deny the message to everyone else?
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Permalink Reply by Seth Edwards on
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I don't believe so, but I think it's sufficient reason for me, at least, to stay silent around angels. Those already in the light don't need or want their dreams and illusions destroyed, my naive self has learned through trial and error.
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Permalink Reply by Hari Menon on
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Dear Captain,
In all honesty I would not be able to answer what I do not know !!. But I do suspect that there are some remnants of history which are there and which have to be removed by a clear thinking - in which case some element of knowledge relating to these may be arrived at intelligently . But then again the reduction of knowledge to the status of a computer game is also a sign of the immaturity of the times we live in .
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Permalink Reply by ROlly D. Velarde on
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Thank you Hari and Captain for your wise reactions to my post. To Hari, I understand the futility of this exercise at the present state of consciousness of mankind. However, even if there is only a glimmer of hope, one should strive for what he believes in. For me, this is the essence of our existence. But this is just my opinion. It may never happen in my lifetime however, the life I live struggling to pursue this seemingly impossible dream is always worth the adventure and understanding life itself. In this pursuit, once you meet people with similar avocation and spend time with them, it is already an opportunity to experience. Even small acts that brings happiness, peace and love is always welcomed by everybody. The irony of life; the Good and the Evil, the happy and sad, the poor and rich, the yin and yang. Since I believe that the truth is within me, then I strive to make that truth realizable. As to Captain; what is good and what is bad is only a pigment of our imagination. What is good for you may not be good to/for me or vice-versa. It depends on our perspective of things or events. We have a practical and very wise saying that seems to guide us invincibly in deciphering between the two: "Do Unto Others What You Want Others Do Unto You" or Do Not Do Unto Others What You Do Not Want Others DO Unto You." Expound on this, and it becomes a very good dogma. Also, active participation should not be at one's convenience. It should be lived or else, for me, it is an exercise of futility. Debating dielectic is also an active participation since there are so many knowledge we can learn and exchange. So both are the same for someone who lives his beliefs truly.
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Dear Rolly,
Yes I do agree with you , that a small step taken goes along way but that it may not take place in our lifetime, Yes you are correct as I take to mean , yet we are not to shirk from those small steps , out of a perception of futility.To live life harmoniously and with concern for others in whatever small way makes sense , it would at least reduce the strife in the immediate surroundings that one comes into contact with in this world . I hope I have got the idea of your post Rolly .
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Permalink Reply by Janelle Cranston on
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I thought I should be more “active” so I decided to volunteer. Due to circumstances (not my conscious doing) that never came about! So as I do pretty much live in my head (reading – thinking and not doing), my attempt at being active became investigating Buddhism and Tao cultivation putting some of their principals into action such as vegetarianism and meditation. In other words trying to improve myself in a small way to also, in a small way improve the world.
My son disagrees …. He is drawn to activism (he is only 22yo).
What I like about this site is everyone’s unique viewpoints and I find it stimulates my thinking and opens up my mind. But can everyone be right? Or is someone wrong? Supposedly there are many paths to the mountain top. Or is there only one? Is that the reason for re-incarnation… just keep coming back until we get it right? Unfortunately we all think we are right but we will never know in this life.
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Thanks Jenelle. Indeed it is our endeavor to bring to fore as many viewpoints as feasible on any given topic. That you find it stimulating, gives us a lot of satisfaction.
Right and wrong are variables of contextuality. If you are familiar with ancient Indian text Bhagvad Gita, it begins with telling the warrior prince that it is right to kill family members in a battlefield. Whereas it would be absolutely unthinkable to do so outside of the battlefield.
As you get deeper into the Buddhism, you will perhaps appreciate the full import of what Buddha says in Lankavatara Sutra. Active theosophy is the only spirituality, without which Buddha cannot liberate himself.
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Permalink Reply by Paige on
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Hi Joe,
I like that part about the Active Imagination. I personally with that too, is that people will laugh at anything they cannot see. To have faith in something is to be able to not see it first, for as Dyer had quoted "Believing is seeing." However, I had not understood the movie 'the Matrix' coming up as a child and maybe it could have been due to lots of existential examination I was facing that had came about due to my upbringing. With this being said I had felt that it was much needed (somehow, and for whatever reason) for me to have seen this comment and to take action as to 'thank you' for mentioning the movie line (as for an example, of course) and then defining what having an Active Imagination was all about.
For just like in faith, and having belief in oneself I just like to think that if one does not have the willpower to be prepared for something that was so amazing, then it probably cannot work out for the best. I think if you can dream it, you can see it...I mean even Walt Disney had said that! And so coming up with ideas from both the consciousness and the subconscious, I feel that humanity has grown in LOTS of ways.
Sometimes these ways have been very beneficial for humanity, and often times they have been for an inventor's ego. But, I just feel that to be able to create something within 'oneself' is great to help to promote an eternal healthier sense of self and mental clarity, but if there is compassion and you share what has sprung from out of your imaginations from your personal concentrated will then the world should be looking even brighter for the world right now, and for humanity's future for generations to come!
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Permalink Reply by David S. on
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Firstly, I believe that it is of foremost importance to genuinely express sincere appreciation and compassionate love towards our fellow human beings; and this is directly reflective upon exercising the very highest of spiritual laws. Moreover, for the greater good, there is also notable value in deciphering, practicing and preserving esoteric knowledge in general; and especially in order to further clarify or refine one's personal understanding, to whatever degree, concerning the metaphysical secrets of our enigmatic universe.
In my opinion, inter-communal or shared paranormal experiences positively affect the human psychic/ consciousness more powerfully than those which occur under solitary pretenses; yet both types are valuable.
Candidly, I believe that there is a fine balance that must be decorously maintained betwixt that time in which we devote to "solitary spiritual endeavors" versus that time in which we dedicate towards "sharing in spiritual pursuits" with other human beings.To center oneself amid solitary esoteric practices strengthens one's capacity to empower others; and vice-versa. Likewise, one can become imbalanced, thus losing touch with the human experience, by devoting too much of one's time unto solitary isolation; or vice-versa, by spreading one's self too thin. Although, perhaps there are many unequivocal variables of necessary balance in which must be astutely considered, from individual to individual, in accordance to adequately accommodating this equation unto one's personal status of causal evolution/ refinement, and etc?
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