I wasn't sure which forum was appropriate for this question. I hope this the right one.

I've been reading A Textbook of Theosophy by C. W. Leadbeater, and it was very interesting and I understood everything just fine up until chapter 9 which is called "The Planetary Chains". This chapter has been confusing :P. One thing he says is that there is physical life on Mars and Mercury and that they are part of our same chain. I was wondering if this is commonly believed among Theosophists today?

Would that mean that mean that there is life on those planets that we astronomers today simply haven't discovered yet? Is this life supposed to exist on a separate physical plane that we can't detect?

Thanks in advance for your response(s).

Steven,

You said,

"This chapter has been confusing."

--> Rounds and Chains is one of the most confusing parts of Theosophy. Feel free to ask questions of areas you do not understand.

"I was wondering if this is commonly believed among Theosophists today?"

--> I would say no. Leadbeater was a psychic who did a lot of psychic research on his own. He wrote a large number of books and added them to the field of Theosophy. I think he got some ideas right and some wrong. I have come to the conclusion that Mars and Mercury are not part of the Earth Chain, even though Leadbeater said they are. I would say Leadbeater's teachings on this subject are not commonly believed among Theosophists today. Regarding Leadbeater's teachings, I take the good, and let the rest fall by the wayside.

Theosophy is one of the few philosophies in the world that puts a high emphasis on critical-thinking skills. We need to evaluate what we read, and make the final decision as to what we believe. (Theosophy specifically prohibits us from having blind faith in any idea or belief system.) Fortunately, Theosophy assists us in that very type of evaluating of ideas.

References to life on Mars have been edited out of some of Leadbeater's books, leading to controversy over editorializing Theosophical texts. And of course, some of those statements (prior to their removal) led to ridicule of Leadbeater's writings from some Theosophical groups.

Thanks for the responses guys.

Yeah, at the beginning of the book Leadbeater specifically mentioned that Theosophists do not have blind faith and that they ought not to take everything he says as truth, but rather "to deal with them as probable hypotheses -- provisionally to accept and act upon them, until such time as they can prove them for themselves."

My only concern is how can a clairvoyant be wrong about such things? How am I to know if there is any truth to anything he says at all?

Steven,

You asked,

"How am I to know if there is any truth to anything he says at all?"

--> There is no such guarantee in life. As a matter of fact, I feel that the more a teacher guarantees they cannot make a mistake, the more I doubt they are trustworthy. The warning against over-dependency on any teacher is a key Theosophical teaching. In my humble opinion, even Leadbeater made some mistakes in his writings.

The only way to know if there is any truth to any idea is to examine it thoroughly and mercilessly with our own critical-thinking skills.

"My only concern is how can a clairvoyant be wrong about such things?"

--> Many clairvoyants have been wrong over the years! I have known both good and bad clairvoyants in my life. It all depends on which source the clairvoyant is getting their information from. There is no guarantee that information from the astral plane is accurate. For example, Theosophy teaches that information from seances is often downright wrong.

Steven,

Regarding the decision as to what to believe, and which teacher to follow, I want to share the Kalama Sutta, which was spoken by Buddha:

Do not believe in anything (simply) because you have heard it. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything (simply) because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all then accept it and live up to it.

Thanks Nick! I have read that statement by Buddha before, I like that. I think you may be misunderstanding me. I am not suggesting that we believe everything written by Leadbeater or any other Theosophical writer. I am merely inquiring as to why we should read any of their writings at all. What is the purpose of reading such things?

It seems to me that it would have been a better use of Leadbeater's time and energy to write a book about how one can explore the higher planes for themselves, instead of writing about what he has personally seen there himself.

I would like to explore the astral plane for myself, or develop clairvoyance, but I don't know how. It seems like that would be the only way to discover the truth for oneself.

Steven,

You asked,

"I am merely inquiring as to why we should read any of their writings at all. What is the purpose of reading such things?"

--> The purpose of reading the writings of any religious teacher is to learn what they have already learned. It is much easier and efficient for us to read Blavatsky's teachings than for us to go out and find these teachings on our own.

"It seems to me that it would have been a better use of Leadbeater's time and energy to write a book about how one can explore the higher planes for themselves, instead of writing about what he has personally seen there himself."

--> This would require each student to go out and become psychic, and then perform the same psychic research that Leadbeater performed. The logistics of such an idea prohibit it.

"I would like to explore the astral plane for myself, or develop clairvoyance, but I don't know how."

--> The idea of acquiring psychic abilities in controversial in Theosophy — there are a couple of threads in this Forum which already address the issue. One side of the issue says, we should not strive to develop psychic abilities, but we should spend that time accelerating our progress along the path to Enlightenment. Then, when we are ready for psychic abilities, the training will be provided.

"It seems like that would be the only way to discover the truth for oneself."

--> That is true. In the meantime, however, all we can do is look around at different teachers, find the one that fits us best, and follow their teachings. It is not a great system, but it is more efficient than any other system we have.

MARS AND MERCURY

IN the June PATH there was printed a review of a pamphlet issued by the London Lodge T. S., and this magazine may perhaps be construed as committed to an approval of everything contained in the pamphlet, although the private
initials of the reviewer were annexed to the remarks. The pamphlet referred to brings up an old dispute which we had thought was settled by what is found in The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, running from page 162 to 168.

"Gratification of curiosity is the end of knowledge for some men," wrote H.P.B.'s teacher, and this curiosity led to a question being put some years ago to the Adepts, who furnished the main body of Esoteric Buddhism and all the important matter in The Secret Doctrine, in respect to other visible globes. The author of Esoteric Buddhism then construed the reply to mean that Mars and Mercury are two of the seven planets of the earth-chain of globes. H.P.B., the only person in actual and constant communication with the Masters, corrected the mistake made by Mr. Sinnett in the pages of The Secret Doctrine to which I have referred, saying on page 164:

"But neither Mars nor Mercury belongs to our chain; they are, along with the other planets, septenary Units in the great host of 'chains' of our system, and all are as visible as their upper globes are invisible." Her correction of the misconception was made upon the written authority of the same Masters who sent through her the letters on which Esoteric Buddhism was written.

On the ground of authority in respect to this question, about which none of the Theosophical writers have any information independent of what the Masters have written, we must conclude that the statement in The Secret Doctrine is final. If no other point were involved, there would be no necessity for going further with the matter, but as the consistency of the entire philosophy is involved, it is necessary to advert again to this subject. The two Masters who had to do with Esoteric Buddhism and The Secret Doctrine have distinctly said: -first, that none of the other globes of the earth-chain are visible from its surface; second, that various planets are visible in the sky to us because they are in their turn fourth-plane planets, representing to our sight their own septenary chains; third, that the six companion globes of the earth are united with it in one mass, but differ from it as to class of substance; fourth, that Mr. Sinnett misunderstood them when he thought they meant to say that Mars and Mercury were two of the six fellow globes of the earth - and this correction they make most positively in The Secret Doctrine; lastly, they have said that the entire philosophy is one of correspondences, and must be so viewed in every part. We do not understand that Mr. Sinnett has said that H.P.B. was not reporting the Masters when she wrote the above in The Secret Doctrine, or that the Masters have denied that they hold the above views.

If we admit that Mars and Mercury are two visible planets of the seven-fold chain belonging to the earth, then the consistency of the philosophy is destroyed, for as it is with planets, so it is with man. Every planet, considered for the moment as an individual, is to be analysed in the same way as a single human being, subject to the same laws in the same way. Hence, if two of the principles of the earth are visible, that is, Mars and Mercury, then why is it that two of man's seven principles are not visible, in addition to his body? In his seven-fold constitution his body represents the earth in her septenary chain, but he cannot see objectively any other of his principles. The philosophy must be consistent throughout. If it is inconsistent at one point it fails at every other. The same Masters who have communicated through H.P.B. with Mr. Sinnett for the purpose of having Esoteric Buddhism written, have over and over again positively stated that the law of correspondence rules throughout in this philosophy.

The earth is a fourth-plane planet. The beings upon it are now in the fourth stage, and for that reason cannot see objectively any planet that is not on the same plane of development, and every planet which they see is for that reason a fourth-plane planet. If this be correct, then Mars and Mercury must be fourth-plane planets, and hence not in the earth's chain of globes.

If we assume with the writer of the pamphlet referred to that Mars and Mercury are two out of the whole seven of which the earth is a third, then the question arises, To what principle do these two planets correspond?, for they must correspond to either prana, kama, astral body, Manas, Buddhi, or Atman. Any attempt at an answer to this question will show the confusion in the assumption; for it is admitted that Mars is in obscuration, and the natural question then would be, "Which of the earth's principles is correspondingly in obscuration?" In attempting to answer this from the assumption started with, we have the statement that Mars is the planet we have last been in, hence it must represent a disused faculty or principle, and not one which we are about to develop. As Manas is the next principle to be fully developed, it would follow that Mars does not represent it, and hence the whole matter falls into confusion, because the first four principles have been already developed and are not in disuse. Following this on the false assumption, then Mars would represent an eighth principle.

Mars is in a state of obscuration at the present time, as stated by the Masters and H.P.B. This is because, in that chain of development, the Egos have finished their fourth round, or because the fourth round has not yet commenced, except in respect to the planet itself as a place of habitation, the Egos having passed on to the next globe of that chain, quite as invisible from the surface of Mars as our next globe in order is invisible from our surface. The same may be said for Mercury, except in respect to obscuration, since the information vouchsafed about it declares that it is beginning to get out of the obscuration caused by the absence of Egos.

A reference to the pages of The Secret Doctrine referred to above will be found helpful on this point. It is also stated on page 163 of that book, Vol. 1, on the authority of the Masters, that "No companion planets from A to Z, that is, no upper globes of any chain in the Solar System, can be seen." I may say that the relation borne by Mars and Mercury to the earth will not be spoken of or explained by the Masters. Furthermore, one of the Masters wrote to the author of Esoteric Buddhism in respect to this matter, stating, "You are putting me questions pertaining to the highest initiation. I can give you only a general view, but I dare not, nor will I enter upon details."

It is not necessary for us to know the relation between Mars, Mercury, and the Earth, especially, nor to know whether Mars and Mercury are in any particular state; all that is necessary is to know, do they or not belong to our chain? And that they do not has been distinctly stated, both from the position of authority and upon the ground of consistent philosophy. Upon authority, because in no other way can we solve this riddle; upon philosophy, to show the reasonableness of the authoritative statement. All such difficulties can be solved by remembering and working upon the law that, as it is in respect to man and his principles or vehicles, so it is in respect to any planet whatever.

WILLIAM Q. JUDGE

I have read in certain channelings (the Ra material, or the Law of One) that most of humanity was transferred to Earth from Mars when the latter planet became uninhabitable (there were some animal-men already on Earth, but the majority came from Mars). That would be one possible connection between the planets. Normallly I take channelings with a grain of salt but these are logical and consistent. (This connection would also explain why the history of Man is filled with wars over race, nationality, religion etc. since the Stone Age and before.)

Occult Seeker,

It is fascinating to consider the idea that our humanity emigrated from Mars to Earth. HPB advanced the theory that (1) we emigrated from a non-physical planet to Earth, and that (2) we once lived on the Moon. We then emigrated through a series of non-physical planets, eventually ending up on Earth.

It is fun to consider these different theories, and see which one fits best into our individual belief systems.

Well HPB was quoting ancient teaching and not own experience. CWL is not the only clairvoyant to make such claims. Perhaps he for some reason saw the planet as it was in preceding times (or how it is now etherically). CWL also mentions the difficulties in clairvoyance and how easily it can become distorted by the emotions and conceptions of the observer. The channelings I mentioned (like apparently CWL) state that only Mars and astronomical Venus (theosophical "Mercury") have ever been physically inhabited in this solar system (the others are "parts of the Logos"). The Moon has no trace of former inhabitation, unlike Mars which may have had oceans in the past.

I've heard reference many years ago, and again recently, both were different story versions, but had the same insinuation that Mars was a moon of a planet that is now a meteor belt between Mars and Jupitar. The recent version is on a site called Enterprize Mission, exploding planets. I digress from what I'm supposed to be doing, too often. Each time I go to the Enterprize Mission site, I stay a bit longer. They have interesting information on hyperdimension physics in regard to planetary angular momentum.

Abstract area, is where you are when discussing very high realities, for example the dhyan-chohan who was not up to the passing on to the next higher planetary chain. When we complete our Seven Rounds on Earth, it is mentioned that Earth will be a Moon for another planetary chain. Perhaps our Moon used hyperdimensional methods for transmitting vital life-force to a newborn upstart world, Earth.

Well FWIW the channelings I mentioned also happen to state there was a planet there once (called "Maldek"), which was destroyed by nuclear war and the inhabitants also transferred to Earth (not in some spaceship but etherically/astrally so that they would begin incarnating here). They lived as "bigfoot" initially (because of spiritual retardation) but now incarnate in humanity. I just mention it because of the CNN interview on the page you mention, that supports some larger object having been there
http://edition.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/02/...s.02/index.html
As for the Moon, the Bailey branch of theosophy says it was once one with Earth, but was ejected. Astronomers are not agreed on the origin of the Moon (as a satellite that big relative to the host planet is unlikely to have peacefully settled into orbit if it came from outer space).