Madguten
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Woe, to he who hears the howling
Posts: 2,785
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Post by Madguten on Feb 1, 2009 19:08:01 GMT -6
I bought this old little book called "Theosophy and Occultism by G.S.R Mead". I think it is from 1892 and was made as an introduction into theosophy and occultism by the theosophical society. It is a book i enjoy for various reasons. It is not exactly new any more and it is only sixteen pages long, so i have scanned it in and made it a pdf to preserve it. Theosophy and Occultism by G.S.R Meadwww.archive.org/download/TheosophyAndOccultismByG.s.rMead-1892/TheosophyAndOccultismByG.s.rMead-1892.pdfEDIT: btw I didnt make the pen lines and marks in the text, at least this flesh here did not. They are older than me.
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Post by Xor'Nefthrahm on Feb 1, 2009 22:19:52 GMT -6
A very interesting read!
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Post by Narlool L'Pah on Feb 2, 2009 2:19:17 GMT -6
What a treasure.
I love old books. Especially ones like this with radical ideas.
I'm not sure agree with the Author's opinion on what the best path is, but I agree somewhat with the Author's scorn for dabblers. That problem exists still today.
I found it interesting when the Author referred to other people as his other selves. It was an interesting way to perceive the oneness of the universe.
We have a Theosophical Society office in Melbourne. The Bookstore would be the best spiritual bookstore in Australia.
I've been curious in the society for a while, and I may join when I feel I have the energy to commit.
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Madguten
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Woe, to he who hears the howling
Posts: 2,785
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Post by Madguten on Feb 2, 2009 9:14:15 GMT -6
I use thoughts similar (or the same) to Theosophy in my own work and development. I use it as a sort of counterweight to the opposite, which i also feel that i hold inside me, the counter ego. Aside from that, there are many points in the text that i was joyful about seeing written by someone else. I was not familiar with theosophy until i bought this little book in a church last year. I now understand that it is in line with my own being, thoughts and speculations, this theosophy. But it is still up for revising, every second, every day. Everything is. ;D I am glad that others enjoyed the book, i have been thinking about preserving it in this digital fashion for a while. Hopefully the file will survive for another century, to be preserved again when the time comes.
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Post by I AM the Way on Feb 2, 2009 11:38:22 GMT -6
Lovecraft did mention the Book of Dzyan in at least one of his stories. Dzyan was one of the main Theosophy books written or transcribed by H.P. Blavatsky.
VS
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Madguten
Moderator
CoC forum moderator
Woe, to he who hears the howling
Posts: 2,785
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Post by Madguten on Feb 2, 2009 16:52:58 GMT -6
I just went on a little search to see if i could track down what story it was mentioned in, i havent yet as i have just begun. But right away i found an article written by Robert M Price called "HPL and HPB: Lovecraft's Use of Theosophy". www.crypt-of-cthulhu.com/lovecrafttheosophy.htmA little later: I just read most of the article, its a good one. And the story was The Haunter of the Dark. I shall now read the rest of the article.
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Post by I AM the Way on Feb 3, 2009 10:29:27 GMT -6
great find, brother. i will read this tonight.
VS
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Post by I AM the Way on Feb 3, 2009 15:52:12 GMT -6
In one letter, Lovecraft remarked, "Some of these hints about . . . the shapeless monsters of archaic Lemuria are ineffably pregnant with fantastic suggestion. . . ."
haha, music to my ears! great essay and very informative. yes, i quite enjoyed that. i skimmed The Secret Doctrine years ago, but never attached any importance to it. perhaps i was wrong...
VS
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Post by sin on Feb 4, 2009 14:16:31 GMT -6
[jumps up and down with excitement]
Grotto material! Thanks, you rock!
IA! IA!
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Post by sin on Feb 5, 2009 9:46:16 GMT -6
Ok so I read half the book yesterday, and Theosophy as a definition doesn't seem to fit; and doesn't yoke with LHP thought.
I believe it's completely unnatural to live a 'Pure and Unselfish Life'. Theosophy's theme seems to be putting another before yourself to be 'righteous and good(wise)' and they define wisdom as not allowing his beliefs to supercede his love for humanity. I detest humanity. I am wholly selfish, and perfectly content. I am realistic about the things I do, which seemingly always stem from selfishness. Even when it appears I am helping a friend, I am really helping myself first and farmost.
Then it goes on to explain that only a 'true occultist' is a theosophist. Pffft. I detest the phrase 'only a true....' I hold my own truths, and I decide what is true.
Wisdom based in 'goodness' and compassion is tom-foolery. Goodness is not universal, and compassion is reserved for these we revere as loved ones, I don't waste my time with people not in my inner-circle. I don't know why anyone would. If you want to be a super-hero and save humanity, all the power to ya - but don't get it twisted in your head and believe that comes from a place of carnal nature, and LHP thought. That stems from Altruism, and self-sacrifice.
I am no sacrificial cow.
I'm still reading through it. It will be a discussion for our Grotto meeting tonight. I'll keep you posted. These are just my initial thoughts.
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Post by I AM the Way on Feb 5, 2009 11:17:02 GMT -6
yeah, i think that's why most occultists (including those of the LHP) ignore Theosophy altogether. however, there are parts, the ones referring to different races and ages of earth, that might have some merit.
while there's something to be said for external consideration (i.e. thinking of others before thinking of oneself), i don't believe in a lifestyle based on altruism, morality, and self negation either.
VS
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