7:07 PM RELS 225 2009-01-21 Attendance Announcements Review of last class Theosophy.
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Transcript of 7:07 PM RELS 225 2009-01-21 Attendance Announcements Review of last class Theosophy.
01:57 PM
RELS 225 2009-01-21RELS 225 2009-01-21
Attendance
Announcements
Review of last class
Theosophy
AnnouncementsAnnouncements
The Reader has arrived in the bookstore.
Pick up your copy; readings will be assigned.
01:57 PM
Review of last classReview of last class
Cult information and misinformationThe Future of Religion: Demise or Transformation?The Role of Religion: Berger vs. Stark & BainbridgeLabelling
Troeltsch: Churches: born; Sects: joinYinger: Universal, Ecclesia, Denomination, Established sect, Sect, Cult
Cult Features: esoteric knowledge; better salvation; loosely organized; charismatic leaderWilson’s Typology:
Sects: Conversionist; Revolutionist; Introversionist; Manipulationist; Thaumaturgical; Reformist; UtopianCults: Illumination; Instrumental; Service-oriented
Robbins & Anthony’s Typology: Dualistic/Monistic; Multilevel/UnilevelWallis’s Typology: Attitude to world: Affirm/Reject/AccommodateDawson’s Typology: Audience; Client; Cult Movement
01:57 PM
Theosophy BeliefsTheosophy Beliefs
We lack true understanding of the world.
That truth comes for Ascended Masters.Were human, almost podlike – thousands of years.
Buddha, Jesus were Ascended Masters
100’s-1000’s of these Ams throughout the world, in schools.
Seven-foot tall one in London, white clothing & turban (according to Alice Bailey)
AMs are like Bodhisattvas
01:57 PM
Theosophy BeliefsTheosophy Beliefs
There are 1000’s of other worlds. All in tsame great cosmic drama.Their history and mythology are described by Blavatsky.Solar Logos (personal)
Sanat Kumara (lord of earth. Came from Venus 18 million years ago) lives at Shamballa – in another dimension in Gobi desert.)
1st RayBuddha
2nd RayBodhisattvas
Mana
01:57 PM
Conception of Divine/TranscendentConception of Divine/Transcendent
No “God” but the ultimate is:“the One”UnlimitedAbsoluteIndescribableIs.Ultimate Cause, but not creator.
Evolves through an eternal dynamic of spirit & matter.We know “the One” by knowing our consciousness.
Turn inward to know the outward world as it really is.Reject personal, anthropomorphic God, a logical impossibility
(Platonic, Hegelian, Samkya Yoga)
01:57 PM
EvilEvil
Strictly there are no devils, demons, evil.
But they explain why bad things happen:Disharmony.
Accidents are part of the ebb & flow of nature.
When we increase disharmony (by ignorance of our consciousness) we contribute to these bad things.
Pain = want of harmony.
Selfishness is source of disharmony.
01:57 PM
HumanityHumanity
1. We are complex interpenetrating planes of matter & consciousness
2. We are manifestations of the ultimate, therefore interconnected with each other & with all the universe.
3. Consciousness reached a special level in humans, therefore have a special responsibility for development of the universe.
01:57 PM
Humanity: BodiesHumanity: Bodies
There are 7 bodies.4 outer (lower forms):
1. Physical body2. Etheric body – close to physical, spiritualized a bit3. Astral body – can separate & travel in space & time (dozens
of groups also become)4. Manasic body – lacks physical form. Mental ball of energy
3 inner (higher forms). Imperishable triad. These three survive death and continue life in another being.
1. Manas – mind, intelligence2. Buddhi – soul, spiritual being3. Atma – absolute selfe
01:57 PM
Humanity: Root SpeciesHumanity: Root Species
There will be seven root species in cosmic earth.
We are the 5th.
Each has been a different composite of body & matter.
We are to be masters of the material world.Science.
01:57 PM
Humanity: FreedomHumanity: Freedom
We can’t change things through prayerBut it is somewhat in our control.
We are free agents.
You can change the universe by changing yourself.
01:57 PM
Death & the AfterlifeDeath & the Afterlife
Karma & reincarnation.Karma is the larger ordering principle which governs reincarnation
Doing bad things accumulates bad karmaReborn as grasshopper, perhaps.
Doing good things more enlightened.Good = morals
Bad = manipulation
01:57 PM
Death & the AfterlifeDeath & the Afterlife
16 levels of this world to be reborn in:Hungry ghost (lowest)…Human beings (in the middle)…Deva (eats ambrosia, floating around, distracted, not desire)
Not immediately reborn when you die.Go to Devachan (like purgatory – review your life)
When reborn, don’t take your personality & memories (unless you acquire the right skills)To the extent you fail to know your true self, you will have a bad time with death.
01:57 PM
How to live the good lifeHow to live the good life
Non-prescriptive ethical system
Don’t care about individual behaviour
But oppose racial prejudice, nuclear bombs, oppression.
01:57 PM
Foundation of the Ageless WisdomFoundation of the Ageless Wisdom
HomeworkHomework
For Monday:Read chapter 3 in Cults and New Religious MovementsWrite quiz on Chapter 3 at http://moodle.library.stfx.ca
For Wednesday:Read Reader Chapter 6 “The New Spiritual Freedom” (pages 89-111)Write “Reading Quiz on the New Spiritual Freedom” at http://moodle.library.stfx.ca