07:24 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.

07:24 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

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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

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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

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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