A Theosophist in Southern California

[Nick the Pilot]

Paladin-san!

How do karma, reincarnation, enlightenment, and nirvana fit into esoteric Christianity?

[earl]

Welcome to CR. There's much in Theosophical thinking I would agree with being inclined toward the contemplative/mystical end of religion as opposed to dogma per se, (i.e., might say I'm a "neo-gnostic"). Mark, love to know more about Sancta Sophia-never heard of them. Also what about that teacher? Never heard of him either. take care all, earl

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

Paladin-san!

How do karma, reincarnation, enlightenment, and nirvana fit into esoteric Christianity?

Hi Nick,

Not sure yet whether they fit into esoteric Christianity, but my personal belief system, if you can call it that, embraces these ideas.
I used to joke that " I don't believe in reincarnation...well.. I used to but that was in a past life"

Peace
Mark

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by earl

Welcome to CR. There's much in Theosophical thinking I would agree with being inclined toward the contemplative/mystical end of religion as opposed to dogma per se, (i.e., might say I'm a "neo-gnostic"). Mark, love to know more about Sancta Sophia-never heard of them. Also what about that teacher? Never heard of him either. take care all, earl

Always good to see you {{Earl}}
The Sancta Sophia Seminary site is here: Welcome to Sancta Sophia Seminary
Hopefully it is still allowed to post links like this.

Peace
Mark

[Nick the Pilot]

Earl,

Thanks for the welcome.

Paladin,

I cannot imagine how any form of Chrisitianity, even an esoteric one, can absorb the idea of karma and reincarnation, since both concepts fly right in the face of the idea of the forgiveness of sins. If you can see a connection, please let me know.

Everyone,

I see there is an interest in various Theosophical concepts. I have started a new thread for the discussion of all these concepts. Feel free to join me at

http://www.comparative-religion.com/...epts-6615.html

I would love to see how any of the long list of Theosophical concepts do or do not fit into anyone's belief system.

[Paladin]

Didn't Rudolph Steiner write "The Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkrutz" ?

[YO-ELEVEN-11]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

Yo,

Thanks for the welcome. I hope to hear your additions to our Theosophical discussion, which is now taking place elsewhere.

Any landing where you survive is a good landing. Any landing where they can use the airplane again is a great landing. (I had a "great" landing tonight, even if I did overshoot the taxiway-exit a tiny bit....)

I "feel" you on the landing situation. I used to work at an Airport and I have talked to alot of the pilots and stwearts and stewardess's(did I spell that right? ) about landings.

Personally, I do not like to fly. My father loves it though (imagine that).

Anyway, I was reffering to the movie "crash" If you get the chance, check it out, its a good movie.


I'm sure you will hear from me.


By the way, what is a Theosophist?
(Please give me the "nutshell" version, because the reading on some of these discussions is becoming rather time consumig.)

[Nick the Pilot]

Mark,

You said,

"Seems interesting how they all tie together."

--> Theosophy teaches that all religions came from a common source. Is this commonality of all religions that makes Theosophy so appealing to me.

I am glad Nirvana fits into your belief system. How about Heaven? Theosophy teaches that both Heaven and Nirvana happen. Does that fit into your belief system too?

[Paladin]

Well Nick, you must understand that I view words and concepts as static symbols that merely point at that which is. In seeking the Absolute, the Divine Presence words can be helpful, but aren't things in themselves. In trying to reify ideas we imprison ourselves. Rumi said that his words were a flopping fish; you may eat of it, and imagine you are eating flesh but all you consume is imagination, which is not the reality of the Divine.

Peace
Mark

[InLove]

I concur, Paladin. It seems to me that the more we try to capture truth with language alone, the more it slip-slides away.

InPeace,
InLove

[wil]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

I cannot imagine how any form of Chrisitianity, even an esoteric one, can absorb the idea of karma and reincarnation, since both concepts fly right in the face of the idea of the forgiveness of sins. If you can see a connection, please let me know.

Maybe I know not enough about any of it...as I see them complimenting each other quite well. As I understand it in Christianity you are only forgiven of your sins by request and repentence. Now I for one don't completely by the aspect of simply saying a some words and promising to be better and then heading out to sin again and head back for the some more forgiveness. I believe we are punished by our sins and not for them. ie what goes around comes around, my actions set the universe in motion to eventually come back and bite me, if not in this life maybe the next.

Now on the flip side if we are to pay for our indescretions karmally (I know that isn't right, but my mind is enjoying the thought of being covered in carmel, carmelly for my sins right now) and reincarnated into a life which retribution is made....those would be for sins we have not atoned for, have not been forgiven for by the universe...the keeper of the scales..

I see us having to pay our credit card debts prior to getting a better rate or more credit...I see us having to own upto our mistakes in order to climb the ladder of enlightenment...

[Nick the Pilot]

Yo,

A Theosophist is someone who studies Theosophy. Theosophy is:

• a collection of religious and philosophical teachings that view humanity as constantly evolving to a higher level
• a philosophy (or "path") by which we can raise ourselves to a higher spiritual level
• A collection of religious and philosophical teachings (called the Ancient Wisdom) which has been periodically re-released down the centuries.

Theosophy embodies a view of the universe, including theories on the origin and mysteries of the universe.

The Theosophical Society is a world-wide organization which studies a set of religious and philosophical ideas, and tries to show how these beliefs are common to all religions.

The Theosophical Society was founded in New York City in 1875, and today there are groups in some seventy countries. 30,000 people around the world call themselves Theosophists. Members (and non-members) have the opportunity to join in local discussions, study sessions, lectures, and self-study. Theosophical libraries, bookstores, study-centers, and retreat-centers are available.

~~~

My landing this morning was less than average. (I kind of "clunked" it in....)

[Nick the Pilot]

Wil,

You said,

"I believe we are punished by our sins and not for them."

--> That is an interesting way of looking at it. Perhaps this is the same as enjoying/suffering the fruits of our efforts vs. being punished by a revenge-seeking God.

[Nick the Pilot]

Mark,

I have not heard of that book by Steiner. Is it part of Jungian Psychology?

~~~

Theosophy teaches that, at a higher level (far above the physical level), we will be able to have discussions merely by transferring thoughts. It has been described as throwing a thought at someone like a lightning bolt and they catch it. Words and voacbulary are not used, just pure thought. I am very much looking forward to experiencing this someday.

[wil]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

Perhaps this is the same as enjoying/suffering the fruits of our efforts vs. being punished by a revenge-seeking God.

Oh yeah, no revenge-seeking, lightning tossing, flood spilling, plague inducing G-d in my book....more yin/yan stuff me thinks...

but what I really need is you to shoot holes in my understanding that Christianity, Karma and Reincarnation may coexist...