Dear friends of Theosophy,
the new decade starts quite bumpy. What do you think about the lockdown of the world because of a flu epidemic? It's a global tragedy, not only for those, who lost loved ones, that's already obvious. And it just started.
But what's behind it, I was asked a lot. Another warningshot of Karma? In fact, the (unavoidable) social irritations (of this unreasonable and materialstic society) become more and more tragically. 2001 the .com bubble, 2008 the almost global financal crisis, now, 2020, this. So what will we be faced in 15 years from now, what in 30?
Of course there are many spiritual impulses, but to see most parts of this society sinking in falsehood, wastefulness, exploitation, ignorance, brutality, sexual bestiality, egoism, hedonism... you named it, doesn't bode well. I remembered a qoute of HPB these days, from her article "Our Cycle and the next":
If once men do but realize that in these alone [in ALTRUISM and TRUTH] can true happiness be found, and never in wealth, possessions, or any selfish gratification, then the dark clouds will roll away, and a new humanity will be born upon earth. Then, the GOLDEN AGE will be there, indeed.
But if not, then the storm will burst, and our boasted western civilization and enlightenment will sink in such a sea of horror that its parallel History has never yet recorded.
Times are no longer getting better. To me, it seems, cycle after cycle, this society is brought closer and closer to its fate. So please, ask yourself: Am I prepared? And then act accordingly, at least, if you have responsibility for others.
Tragical enough to remember, that HPB itself died of an influenza epidemic in May 1891 in London, what she and Theosophical literature said about epidemics and pandemics you can get in the section with news from Theosophical Societies, because TS Point Loma compiled a corresponding collection.
In the last issue I wrote within the series of (in my view) "Theosophical misbeliefs" about the impossibility of an infinit being and I'm not convinced a majority, because 53% disagree and only 47% agree, that this isn't possible.
But let me add a qoute from HPB, that can support my position, she said:
This manifestation [of the manifesting Deity] is triple in its aspects, for it requires, as Aristotle has it, three principles for every natural body to become objective: privation [prototypes impressed in the Astral Light], form, and matter. [SD:1:59]
If it is a beeing (for me also higher beeings are objective on it's plane and have a natural body, f.e. Sûkshma Sharîra (SD:1:132) etc.), it must have a form and if it has a form, it cannot be endless. And even if someone still has doubts, I may convice today with the current or 4th item of the Top 10 misbeliefs, which deals with the "Causeless Cause", also in relation to the former problem.
Within The Press-Review of Theosophy outside the Movement one can find again many interesting facts, f.e. that Blavatsky taught Hitler. Yes, a big and insane lie, but today, the Theosophical Societes have better things to do, as to act with HPB, it's founder, who said
Fourthly, by defending the Society from the unjust aspersions cast upon it, by every legitimate device in their power. [Key2Theosophy, Section 12]
and therefore, it's not to be wondered at, if such extremely disturbing lies, as I reported f.e. three years ago, become fertile and multiply.
And what Theosophical Societies does? They consult each other and earning big salary: How much Mr. Boyd, the leader of TS Adyar earns, for consulting the TS Adyar America (?!) as part-time job, you can investigate in the top of the News from Theosophical Websites-section. This kind of transparency of TS Adyar America is a god start, big credit to Barbara Hebert, it's president, who answerd questions.
And now I wish you an interesting reading and a peaceful spring. With kind regards from Germany
Steven Otto
Editor of Theosophy World News