Or How Classical Authors Like Confucius
And Cicero Can Help the Theosophical Movement
Carlos Cardoso Aveline

A statue of Confucius in Junan, China, and Marcus Tullius Cicero
Carlos Cardoso Aveline

A statue of Confucius in Junan, China, and Marcus Tullius Cicero
Readers of esoteric philosophy might consider studying Confucius.
Though not easy for the general public to have access to its details,
the fact is well-documented that H. P. Blavatsky made a severe self-criticism,
not long before her death in 1891.
Writing to friends in 1889-1890, she said that she had underestimated
human weakness in matters of Ethics. She had taught too much “Occultism” and
given out sensitive information about the Path in a civilization whose ethical
foundations were more fragile than she could anticipate.[1] She tried to correct that in her later writings.
If present generations of theosophists want to make use of that sour
lesson learned by H.P.B. as she neared the end of her 19th century mission, their
task may include putting theosophy on a firmer and more lasting ethical basis. Numbers
and appearances do not matter: it is the Few who make the difference.
It has been said that Ethics is the art of sowing good karma. Each level
of knowledge is inseparable from its corresponding degree of duty and ethics. No
legitimate knowledge is divorced from moral duty. Information about life is worse
than useless without a noble intention, as J-J. Rousseau brilliantly
demonstrated in the 18th century. A natural task resulting from such a fact consists
in looking around and seeing what are the best ethical resources and guidance
available in the universal literature of the last 3,000 years.
Among the most valuable teachings on the topic one can see works like “On
Duty”, by Cicero; “Protagoras” and “Sophist”, by Plato; the texts coming from
Epictetus; the books by Seneca; “Meditations”, by Marcus Aurelius; and the
works of Confucius. In the second part of 20th century, Erich Fromm made a
great contribution. There are others.
The ethical question is a sensitive issue for the esoteric movement.
Lack of ethics and discernment is related to the root-causes from which emerged
phenomena like pseudo-theosophy, disloyalty towards the founders of the
movement, adoption of false rituals, pursuit of UFOs and widespread fake
clairvoyance.
Trouble did not start in the 20th century. The non-appearance of the announced
third and fourth volumes of “The Secret Doctrine”, and the very date of HPB’s
death - which took place earlier than generally expected - are perhaps linked to
a perception by the “Powers that be” that the ethical foundations in Western
Public and in the theosophical movement were not quite rock-solid in the late
19th century, and it was better therefore to let the “female disciple” have
some rest, giving mankind time to absorb what had been taught already.
It is up to theosophists to make long-term, self-devised efforts, on the
basis of the teachings received. One must rely on one’s own conscience and
silent intuition, and learn from experience.
Theosophical or universal Ethics is among the greatest human needs. The theosophical
movement must start by examining itself and its relation to legitimized fraud
and saintly falsehood within its ranks. There are good signs already, and a
conscious effort can be made to accelerate an ethical awakening and a
liberation from delusions. One of the main lessons to present and future
generations is in the axiom “first deserve, then desire”, which
H.P.B. included in her text “Chelas and Lay Chelas”.
NOTE:
[1] See “Collected
Writings”, H. P. Blavatsky, TPH, USA, Volume XII, pp. 581-590, especially pp.
583-584.
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An initial version of the above article was published
in “The Aquarian Theosophist”,
October 2012 edition.
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In September 2016, after
a careful analysis of the state of the esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students
decided to form the Independent Lodge of
Theosophists, whose priorities include the building of a better future in
the different dimensions of life.
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