Hi everybody!

There is a quote in The Mahatma Letters, where one of the Mahatmas talks about adultery. In the book, the Mahatma talks about how the adulterer experiences pleasure, yet never stops to imagine the pain he causes. I believe this relates directly to the idea of Nirvana as cosmic consciousness.

It has been said that Nirvana removes all separateness between ourselves and other people. Nirvana (so the theory goes) makes it possible for us to experience what it really means to be another person, to feel what they feel, to, think what they think, to be that other person. (Nirvana as cosmic consciousness).

Let's consider a Nirvanic person who is about to to commit adultery. He would immediately identify with the pain and suffering he is about to create.

There once was a married women who was showing an inkling of interest in a male Theosophist (true story). Adulterous thoughts did enter his head. Although he never got anywhere near committing adultery, the Mahatma's words helped convince him of the correctness of non-action.

Certainly the Theosophist was wise not to act on his desire, but, thoughts are things. A thought is our progeny, the birth of an elemental, one day to be a man. Thoughts are not insignificant things.

"Sow a thought, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny". de Purucker Golden Precepts
Even our own lives are built one thought at a time.

In the Christian Bible: "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart". Matt 5:28

I don't mean to thump my Bible here, I am just thinking, how difficult it is for us to walk the chela path. Not only our deeds, and our words, but our thoughts and motives must be pure.

It reminds me of the sign in front of a local church here in town that says "All Sinners Welcome." I know I cannot say that I am free from "sin". We must then be careful of judging others, or feeling proud of ourselves that we are Theosophists.

Jon,

I agree that our thoughts are as important as our actions. Also, Theosophy teaches that, when we become conscious at the Buddhic level or higher, we will not have a physical body, an astral body, nor a mental body any more. At that time, our "thoughts" will be the only "reality" we have. The more we practice having pure thoughts now, the more we will be successful at the Buddhic level or higher.