Cycles of Return

In "The Way of the Disciple" by Clara M. Codd, there is a story about the past lives of the Masters:


I also wonder if the Master Rakoczy was the mysterious Archduke John who disappeared during or after the war, at sea, it was said. I once read the memoirs of one of the Austrian Arch-duchesses, and she describes there a mysterious mission that she undertook for him. There was a photograph in an old "Illustrated London News" of the Emperor Franz Joseph washing the feet of twelve poor men on Maundy Thursday. Around him stand the court, among them two Knights of Malta, (of which the Master was once Grand Master as Count Hompesch) in their white cloaks. The Master is very clearly to be distinguished as one of them. His great confrere, the Master Jesus, is said now to live amongst the Druses in Mount Lebanon. The Druses are a more or less secret body and have monasteries in very inaccessible places. They have a secret faith, somewhat allied to Christianity, believing that divine manifestations come at intervals, and they are abstainers from wine and tobacco. There is a portrait of this Master, precipitated by H.P.B., which now hangs at Adyar.

This brings me to the point of this post. The Buffalo Lodge has been approached by the Knights Of Malta to be one of its outpost stations and to share our building. At this very moment, one of the Knights attends our meetings every Tuesday. I am told that they go as far back as the Crusades. We in the Lodge believe that nothing happens by coincidence. This is happening while our Lodge is being blacklisted by Headquarters and gives us great comfort to feel the presence of the Order, (There are different groupings, or Orders, of the Knights. This one that chose us is called the 'Swan.’) and helped convince me that the Masters are real and that they never abandoned us.

Something to Ponder

"He who deprives any of his fellows of the light, the good, the help, the assistance he can wisely give them, and lives for the accumulation of material things, for his own personal gratification, is the real robber; and he who steals from his fellows the precious possession of character by slander, and any sort of misrepresentation, is no less a thief, and one of the most guilty kind."
from Practical Occultism

How do you interpret this quote in the context of the Theosophical Society in America today?
Is this the path upon which the Theosophical Society in America presently finds itself?
What do you think?

WINTER SESSION 2009

The Theosophical Society in Buffalo continues the study of the Ancient Wisdom. Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM, we begin with the inspirational prayers and the healing service. This is followed by a scheduled program pre-selected by the membership. Science, Philosophy, and Religion form a trinity which guides the work the society has set before itself. Our continuing study of Man, the Microcosm, Astrology, the Macrocosm and the Esoteric teachings of all the great religions are the foundational jewels that open the door to other occult and philosophical discussions. All are welcome to attend and are encouraged to participate in the open discussions. It is the duty of all members in good standing to attend the meetings. Our group consciousness merged together in unity radiates thoughts beneficial to all in attendance.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi

MEMBERS PROGRAM SCHEDULE

January

6^th The Ageless Wisdom of Life Clara M. Codd

Chapter 3: Who Are We? The Soul

13^th The Causal Body A.E. Powell

Chapter XIV: Methods and Degrees of Individualization

Chapter XV: Functions of the Causal Body

20^st The Divine Plan G. Barborka

Chapter 8: The Doctrine of the Races, The First Root

Race

27^th Esoteric Astrology A. Bailey

Capricorn

February

3^th The Ageless Wisdom of Life Clara M. Codd

Chapter 4: Who Are We? The Spirit

10^th The Causal Body A.E. Powell

Chapter XVI: Composition and Structure

Chapter XVII: Causal Thought

17^th The Divine Plan G. Barborka

Chapter 8: The Second Root Race

24^th Esoteric Astrology A. Bailey

Aquarius

“The Present is only a

mathematical line which divides

that part of Eternal Duration

which we call the Future from

that part which we call the Past.”

Secret Doctrine