Bureaucrats, Interface administrators, Administrators (Semantic MediaWiki), Curators (Semantic MediaWiki), Editors (Semantic MediaWiki), Suppressors, Administrators, trusted
10,237
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + − + − + − + − + − + − + − {{Style P-Epigraph|“To judge the sins of others you gladly do,+ − Start with your own and the others’ you’ll never get to.”+ − − {{Style P-Epigraph|“Condemning the other is always wrong. Because no one can ever know what has happened and is happening in the soul of the one whom you condemn. ” + − | Leo Tolstoy}} − We all know the Gospel words:+ − {{Style P-Quote|“Judge not, that you be not judged.+ − For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.+ − And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7: 1-3)}}+ − {{Style P-Quote|“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8: 7)}}+ − There is a deep gulf between the knowledge of the words or proclamation and practice that Christians in vain have been striving to overcome for two millennia.+ − + − And everyone believes that he has the right to be a judge.+ − William Judge, in one of his letters, excerpts from which are included in the article "The World Knowth Us Not," wrote:+ − {{Style P-Quote|“Every time we think someone else has done wrong we should ask ourselves two questions:+ + − “(1) Am I the judge in this matter who is entitled to try this person?+ + − “(2) Am I any better in my way, do I or do I not offend in some other way just as much as they do in this?+ − “This will settle the matter, I think. And in . . . there ought to be no judgments and no criticism. If some offend then let us ask what is to be done, but only when the offence is against the whole. When an offence is against ''us'', then let it go. This is thought by some to be “goody-goody”, but I tell you the heart, the soul, and the bowels of compassion are of more consequence than intellectuality. The latter will take us all sure to hell if we let it govern only. Be sure of this, and try as much as you can to spread the true spirit in all directions, or else not only will there be individual failure, but also the circle H.P.B. made as a nucleus for possible growth will die, rot, fail, and come to nothing…”+ − “Let me say one thing I KNOW: only the feeling of true brotherhood, of true love towards humanity aroused in the soul of someone strong enough to stem this tide can carry us through to the close of next century and onward. For Love and Trust are the only weapons that can overcome the REAL enemies against which the true Theosophist must fight.”}}+ − If we call ourselves Theosophists, then we must follow the most important objective of the Theosophical Society, namely, to form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour, which is our primary duty, that we must reach with pure intentions, avoiding lust for power, greed, without expecting any reward.+ − Besides we have duties arising from the law of karma. We must distinguish between them so as not to do other people's duties.+ − As the Bhagavad Gita says:+ − + − + − Here we should recall the words of Jesus in the generally accepted translation: “and a man's enemies are his household.”+ − If we translate this phrase from the ancient Gospel or Peshitta, written in Aramaic, which was then spoken in Galilee and throughout Palestine, we get the following:+ − − {{Style P-Quote|“A man's enemies will be children in his house (bnei bayta, ביתה בני).”}} − − In Greek, it looks like this: a man's enemies are his household. − − This phrase leads to deep reflection. Doesn't this sentence mean reincarnation, namely, that a person's enemies in the next life can be his children? − − Now let’s consider condemnation from the esoterical point of view. − − Helena Petrovna Blavatsky said the following in “Conversations on Occultism” recorded by William Judge: − − {{Style P-Quote|''“Sage''. – There is a very important thing you should not overlook. Every time you harshly and unmercifully criticize the faults of another, you produce an attraction to yourself of certain quantities of elementals from that person. They fasten themselves upon you and endeavor to find in you a similar state or spot or fault that they have left in the other person. It is as if they left him to serve you at higher wages, so to say.”}} − − And Elena Petrovna also said the following about the elementals: − − {{Style P-Quote|“Skandhas may produce elementals by unconscious Kriyāśakti. Every elemental that is thrown out by man must return to him, sooner or later, since it is his own vibration', they thus become his Frankenstein. Elementals are simply effects producing effects; they are disembodied thoughts, good and bad; they remain crystallized in the Astral Light, and are attracted by affinity, and galvanized back into life again when their originator returns to earth-life; you can paralyze them by reverse effects. Elementals are caught like a disease, and hence are dangerous to ourselves and to others; this is why it is dangerous to influence others. The elementals which live after your death are those which you implant in others; the rest remain latent till you reincarnate, when they come to life again.” “The Inner Group Teachings of H. P. Blavatsky” (Meeting No. XVIII: April 1, 1891)}} − − There is something to think about for all condemning and criticizing people, especially for theosophists who are familiar with the teachings of karma and reincarnation. Don't you know that if you dislike Jews, for example, you will be born into this nation in your new incarnation. Why should we create new karma? − − With the help of the esoteric doctrine of the elementals, it is possible to explain not only the general condemnation, but also other spontaneous social and supposedly spiritual phenomena, for example, the phenomenon of Glossolalia in the evangelical Pentecostal and charismatic churches, when people begin to speak in an incomprehensible imaginary new dialect. This phenomenon is contrary to common sense. After all, even a parrot can be taught to speak clear words. The reason for this is the pursuit of innovations, so that without much effort, without painstaking research, someone can stand out among others. Now is the era of quick action, superficial knowledge and blind faith. Theosophists, on the other hand, should serve as a researcher and interpreter for those who want to know and seek, but only on the basis of utmost selflessness and sympathy for other people. − − Therefore, keeping in mind the doctrine of the elementals and other similar beings, the problem of condemnation becomes very serious and dangerous. If you have entered the path of purification of actions, speech and thoughts, then during condemnation you again get thoughts polluted, and through them everything else, so you start “flowing down the stream”. − − So, firstly, do not rush to conclusions without knowing all the karmic knots and their consequences, and secondly, do not infect your mind with harmful thoughts, so that they couldn’t “turn and tear you in pieces.” − − Let us, first of all, tirelessly, tensely and constantly monitor our thoughts, striving to realize our own duty in order to do it as conscientiously as possible, thereby becoming a suitable instrument for transmitting theosophical teaching. − − However, not to condemn does not mean not to have a sense of discrimination, which appears from within through maximum effort and study. − − No wonder they now say: “Tell me what you read, and I will tell you what kind of person you are.” − − And to prevent the above contamination through the elementals, constant vigilance and common sense are needed when examining the motives of the speaker or writer. − − Our task is to “flow up the stream” in order to create balance or harmony in this world. − − "Iti maya srutam," so I have heard.
Malakhov P. - The Mahatmas and the Latest Technology (view source)
Revision as of 11:11, 9 December 2020
, 11:11, 9 December 2020no edit summary
{{MTT publication
{{MTT publication
| author = Olga Fyodorova
| author = Pavel Malakhov
| title = To condemn or not to condemn?
| title = The Mahatmas and the Latest Technology
| subtitle =
| subtitle =
| issue = 2019-1
| issue = 2018-2
| number = 12
| number = 6
| publications =
| publications =
| info =
| info = Translated from Russian by Olga Fyodorova
| russian = Фёдорова О.А. - Осуждать или не осуждать
| russian = Малахов П.Н. - Махатмы и новейшие технологии
| categories = Ethics
| categories =
}}
}}
Studying classical Theosophical works written in the nineteenth century, and often taking us back to times even more remote, modern man may quite reasonably raise the question: "How important is the doctrine?" Indeed, nothing stands still and the science since then has moved forward significantly, having greatly changed the human environment. Transport, means of communication, organization of society – these have considerably changed. Almost every day there appears something new. But isn't every recent discovery only some degree of attentiveness to the eternally existing laws of nature? What is a real value of new technology? What tasks is it aiming at? Can these tasks be fulfilled differently? Reflection on these questions forces us to look behind the appearance of scientific progress and try to understand its origin, its motive force and goal.
{{Style P-Subtitle|The development of intelligence}}
|Friedrich Rückert}}
Developing in cycles, humanity is now in a long period of development of intelligence, and computers are a natural and important milestone on this path because, using computers, people have a good practice in developing and applying pure logic.
Earlier, before using computers, this task was performed due to law and economics. The former tries to build a system of relations between people on the basis of formal logic. For this diverse and (ideally) consistent laws describing correct behaviour are made. Human life is supposed to be held strictly according to these laws, for society should develop harmoniously and painlessly. The trial is also an exercise in logic. The correctness or incorrectness, and, accordingly, the punishability of human actions are judged by whether they follow the logic of the laws.
Economics calculates the most profitable schemes of capital increase, the most appropriate use of resources.
However, with the development of computers an even greater number of people became involved in the process of perfecting logical thinking. With their widespread penetration into everyday life, we all have to learn to understand the pure logic on which they work.
That is how the inevitability of natural laws looks in practice: when it’s time for humanity to perfect logic skills, such living conditions are being created, where it is impossible (almost impossible) to avoid the process. The environment itself is forcing us to intensify the desired quality in ourselves to match the time or even just to survive.
Of course the degree of development is different with different people and they respond differently to the demands of the time – according to the past experience. However, the distinguishing feature of our time is that a very large group of people began to think in terms of pure logic. If there were only few scientists earlier, but as for now there is a huge number of programmers, system administrators and other technical professionals working with computer equipment. Even an ordinary user working with the computer is forced to act according to its logic.
{{Style P-Subtitle|Internet}}
They condemn everyone and everything, from close relatives and neighbors to nations and the whole world.
Computerization, of course, was foreseen by the Mahatmas, since the movement of human thought is clearly seen by them. They know the abilities of man, the laws of nature and know when they can be implemented.
The Theosophical society was founded in 1875 and incorporated different countries, different nationalities, different social classes and so on – it tried to unite all different, showing that we could operate no matter what the differences might be. It was a necessary preliminary step for the future globalization in all spheres of human activity. One of results of such process was the inventing of the Internet, bringing together the diversity of worldviews and beliefs. In its substance, the Internet is the realization of all three TS objectives to a greater or lesser extent, especially the second objective: a comparative study. In the global computer networks there is no limitation for spreading information. All religions, philosophies and branches of science are represented there. All have equal rights to express themselves and any researcher, no matter what sphere he researches, may receive all attitudes about it in a full volume. If previously, religious, political or traditional (educational views of one’s environment) censorship limited the amount of information by applying a filter, and interpreting in their own way, but now there are no such restrictions: a person can get as much information as he is able to absorb and of the quality and the direction to which he is inspired.
Such access level to information is inherent to the Mahatmas. We are given examples that any information can be obtained, we just need to concentrate ourselves on finding it. The Mahatmas do not require any external equipment to help (such as computers). A striking example is ''The Secret Doctrine'' book, which Helena Petrovna wrote without any Internet or physical access to the archives of libraries. Using her ability to read “the Akashic records”, i.e. to focus on search of information and literally read it in a subtle-material vehicle that is unavailable to the most sensitive physical devices, she refers in her book to more than three hundred authorities, quoting them and pointing to the page numbers in the published editions. Also she cites the unpublished manuscripts and works that are kept in closed and hidden storage.
This is possible due to the development of consciousness. This means that a level of civilization is the external factor for a person with no defining value for his development, which is the inner process. In other words, everything we need for self-improvement, is in ourselves. We only deploy our hidden potential and reveal our powers and abilities. Unusual powers of the Mahatma are the result of his development. A miracle for us is just a degree of knowledge for him.
The Internet today is a medieval astral light, a small manifested part of abounding Akashic records. The former is available to everyone and needs a technically developed civilization. The latter is available to few and needs a spiritual development of individuality.
There are something that Mahatma has as a natural part of his inner nature, which others can get from the outside only: the ability to move quickly over long distances, to communicate regardless of distance, to provide the necessary comfort in any place on the planet – the ordinary person can get all of these and improve with the development of civilization only (i.e., collective efforts), being forced to significantly change the external environment and use multiple aids.
However, it is unlikely to blame humanity of the development of anthropogenic civilization, as we can’t blame a little girl for mommy-daughter playing, saying that this is a substitution of family relations, and blaming her of caring for the dolls instead of forming a real family. There is a season for everything and to have a better aspirations, we need an example (as a goal, as an ideal), the method (as a means to reach an end) and experience (time on acting by trial and error).
It is very difficult to understand something without an example. The Internet phenomenon clearly shows how information can be available, what is the meaning of the absence of boundaries in it, what traits one needs to be able to navigate it, to keep striving to the goal and not to be distracted. Previously only trained disciples in the initiation were taught this, now the entire humanity learn the lesson.
{{Style P-Subtitle|Problems beyond time}}
Most human problems do not have any characteristics of time. No matter what type of transport we use. Whether we ride a horse, go by carriage, car or fly in a spaceship – we solve the same problem: to get from one place to another, or move a load. Also in all these cases, we must follow the rules of traffic safety and be careful. In the past, present and in the future, the problem of constructing a relationship with the world arise from within, also therein arises their solution.
No matter whether we write our message in ink with a quill pen, or type an email on the keyboard – the important thing is what kind of thoughts we are trying to express. Have these thoughts become more profound than a centuries earlier? Has our attitude to the word and the person become more careful?
There was a time, when people used palm leaves and papyrus to preserve the information, they also used clay tablets, made engravings on stone and metal. Now the main volume of data is stored in electronic form. Data carriers change, but their main function remains the same: to preserve (or to reflect) the thought on the physical matter plane. However, this necessity is a feature of the current state of human consciousness, whis has no ability to access the information in any other way. The one who is able (through self-discipline and concentration) to get any information (like H. P. B.) does not need any computers or Internet, with all its huge variety of protocols, rules, formats, encodings, etc. All these latest technologies are just a support for those who can't go the other way. But it should be understood that another path exists too and it is not abandoned. There are those who follow it.
Our gigahertz, megapixels, and terabytes are just children's toys for the Mahatmas, just some of the details of the imperfect method of obtaining, processing and storing information. For us, every innovation in the world of new technologies may look like a revolutionary discovery, for them – it is the rearrangement of furniture in the nursery: we are changing some attributes of the external form, without changing our children's attitude to life. Does it matter: whether we are drawing our scribbles on a scrap album sheet, wallpaper or on your tablet computer? In all cases they will remain scribbles. The reverse is true also: it does not matter how would Leonardo de Vinci express his ideas – with a quill pen, a piece of coal or mosaic, or (had he been born in our time) three-dimensional graphics – his images would be filled with sense, harmony and beauty.
{{Style P-Quote|“It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though they may be faulty, than another's duties. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous.” (3:35)}}
{{Style P-Subtitle|The law of analogies}}
We make judgments about a person based on external actions, without taking into account his inner nature, which has developed as a result of many past lives, without knowing his relationship with other people in past lives.
It is the level of our consciousness development in previous incarnations, our life experience that determines how we could be able to adapt to the conditions of the current incarnation and how we could be effective and helpful. We see that people are mastering computer technology differently. Someone is on casual terms with it, but it troubles others. However, in previous incarnations, neither one nor the other had no experience with computers in general and were not able to accumulate any of it in this direction. This means that all the required traits were evolving in completely different conditions. That is, there are certain principles or laws of nature, realizing which, we can easily understand many of the details of their manifestation. Developed flexible mind can easily adapt the accumulated experience to new conditions. This is a manifestation (and application) of the law of analogies, when we are able to understand new things, finding parallels with the already known. In this lies the answer to the question of the relevance of the Mahatmas teaching, given to us in the 19th century. It becomes clear why "The Secret Doctrine" contains all that the best thinkers of mankind will use for self-development many more centuries, and humanity as a whole will need thousands of years to completely understand and apply at least part of what was said in those two volumes. The all-pervading and all-powerful law of analogies gives great opportunities for development, as soon as it is learned. It is an intellectual threshold of the unintellectual intuition – the main sense of knowledge for mankind in future. ''The Secret Doctrine'' with all its numerous quotations and references, comparing different religions, philosophies and scientific theories is a methodological guide for understanding the law of analogies. This is the book that prepares us for the future.
The Mahatmas had been helping the development of mankind at all times: in the 19th century, when renovated theosophical movement was been formed and ages before that. They continue to help today also. The peculiarity of Mahatmas way of acting is that they are guided by the fundamental principle of the unity of mankind, they do not deprive any nation, caste or age of their attention. For each level of consciousness they offer special development tools, taking care about both: the young souls and the grown-ups.
Theosophy is really a timeless wisdom, it teaches what is eternal and does not depend on temporary external attributes. Following the law of cycles all new, latest and future technologies in due course of time will reach the peak of their development and after that the stages of decline and oblivion. Computers, the Internet, virtual reality are nothing more than teaching aids to demonstrate the laws of the universe that cannot be formalized once and for all, their understanding must constantly develop, and for this new forms and conditions are constantly needed. We must understand the essence of these laws by analogy and be able to see this essence in all the variety of manifestations. Our task is to be able to recognize this essence even when the examples on which we study and the environment in which we live disappear. And then we can easily get adapted to any unfamiliar conditions, and even the latest technologies will turn out to be for us only a variant of something already known.