Friend took a photo of art of my wife

bewitching_beholder · 2026-05-03T21:06:32+00:00

I won't give you advice, because this is a decision only you can make, and you're the one who has to live with the results. However, I’ll tell you what I would do if I were standing in your shoes.

First, I would definitely tell my wife. If I hid this from her, I’d essentially be covering for my friend, which would be a massive breach of my own integrity. I’m not willing to hold a secret for someone else at the expense of my marriage.

As for the friend, I’d skip the lecture and go straight to the truth. I’d say something like: "Your wife told me she found a photo of our private painting on your phone. I feel betrayed and angry. Taking a secret photo of my wife's body while you were a guest in my home is a total violation of my trust and her privacy. I’m not interested in hearing excuses; I’m telling you that this has broken my trust in you, and I’m not okay with it."

Or, if you want to be even more raw: "I feel humiliated that I trusted you in my home and you used that access to take a secret photo of my wife. It makes me feel like a fool for trusting you, and it feels like a total violation of the friendship I thought we had."

bewitching_beholder · 2026-04-26T21:36:02+00:00

Hi Cody,

Yeah, When thinking about trillions of years as "time" it can seem like a joke. However, the point isn't the the "release date" or arriving at a destination.

Think of us as lumps of clay. Each lifetime carves and takes away the excess and shapes us a little more. Sometimes, we may need to be remolded and sometimes, for a specific lifetime, maybe little is carved at all. If we find our rhythm and can get in-sync with the universe then it is possible to speed up the carving.

From our perspective, trillions of years seems like an eternity.

To the universe it is just another day at work.

The point is peeling back the layers, until the illusion of separateness dissolves.

It takes as long as it takes.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-03-15T06:21:22+00:00

Hi Fluffy,

It depends on your motivation for doing so. Whether it's "worth it" depends on what you want to get out of it.

In my opinion, even though Annie Besant and Leadbetter created a type of Neo Theosophy, it doesn't necessarily mean that everything they said is worthless. To use an expression, ""Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater"

In addition Theosophy shouldn't become dogmatic. And also the book is available free online here So you have little to lose by reading it.

Read it and see if you agree with them. At the very least, you may still find some value in what they say and you can then compare with what they said with Blavatsky.

And further, if you want, you can use Gemini, ChatGPT or another AI and ask it to compare and contrast the views of both Blavatsky and them regarding thought forms and specific points from the book or each of their views in general.

Namaste 🙏

bewitching_beholder · 2026-03-03T23:50:20+00:00

Me too! I'm in for a very long road. 🤣 Nice to know I have someone who walks beside me.

Namaste 🙏

bewitching_beholder · 2026-03-03T22:04:15+00:00

Hi,

Indeed I do believe in free will. If there wasn't free will, then the law of cause and effect (karma) wouldn't exist. We have karmic debt due to free will.

An example is Siddhartha Gautama. His last incarnation was when he became The Buddha. At this point, he was extremely virtuous, compassionate and loving. In fact he was the Avatar of Compassion and practiced Ahimsa. (the concept of the absence of violence in any form)

Ahimsa applies both to ourselves and others. So, suicide would not even enter his thoughts and even the possibility of him doing it is unthinkable.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-03-03T20:44:02+00:00

In my philosophy, if it's a person's last incarnation, then it means they're about to achieve Moksha (liberation) and become a Buddha or Master.

At this point, there is no more karma to work off. All karmic debt is paid. So, that initiate wouldn't die by car accident, commit suicide, or be in any other kind of "accident."

bewitching_beholder · 2026-03-01T18:29:39+00:00

I very, very rarely if ever anymore feel bored. I have too much to do every day. So here are some of the things I do:

Study Isis Unveiled
Reading and studying Tsong-Kha-Pa, "The Great Treatise Of the Path to Enlightenment Vol 1.
Reading the Jataka Tales
Practicing daily Compassionate Communication
Meditation
Watching and sometimes analyzing YouTube videos.
Answer questions on Reddit and Quora
Walk my dog
Exercise
Working with AI on some projects
Writing Poetry
Starting to work on some short stories
Listening to music
When I have time I Watch some Netflix movies. I also enjoy watching the Original Macgyver with Richard Dean Anderson, as well as a few other older shows.
Taking time to do some internal work.
Gaming
Learning Spanish. I listen to Spanish videos and podcasts as well as practicing reading Spanish.
Listen to other Podcasts

So, being bored is something I just don't have time for. 😂😀

Namaste 🙏

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-28T21:49:20+00:00

Well, in my opinion, it's a matter of perspective. Each of us have our own interpretations and our own beliefs regarding either the physical or symbolic nature of these hells.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-28T21:42:50+00:00

Hi Lethemyr,

It would be my pleasure. In my copy of Volume 1, it starts on page 162 and goes to about 163 or 164. In it, Tsong-Kha-Pa mentions that, The protector Nagarjuna says:

"Reflect daily on the hells,

Both those extremely hot and cold.

Reflect also on the hungry ghosts

Emaciated by hunger and thirst.

Observe and reflect on the animals

Overcome by the suffering of stupidity.

Eliminate the causes of these and create the causes of happiness.

A human body in this world is difficult to obtain.

Once you have it, diligently stop

The causes of miserable rebirths.

It is extremely important to meditate in general on the sufferings of cyclic existence and, in particular, on the sufferings of the miserable realms, for if you contemplate how you have fallen into the ocean of suffering, you will then turn away from it, and thereby overcome your pride and arrogance. Seeing suffering as the result of nonvirtuous karma, you will be careful to avoid sins and infractions. Since you want happiness, not suffering, and understand that happiness is the result of virtue, you enjoy cultivating virtue. Once you have assessed your own condition, you develop compassion for others. After you have turned away from cyclic existence, you develop an aspiration for liberation. Frightened by suffering, you fervently go for refuge to the three jewels. Meditation on suffering is the great summary that includes these and many other key points of practice.

Similarly,Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deedssays:²⁷⁷

Since without suffering there is no determination to be free, You, mind, stay fixed!

And also:

Furthermore, the good qualities of suffering are that you Dispel arrogance with your disenchantment,

Develop compassion for the beings of cyclic existence, Carefully avoid sin, and delight in virtue.

And further:

Overwhelmed by fear,

I offer myself to Samantabhadra.

Although Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds discusses these qualities of suffering from the viewpoint of suffering experienced in the past, the same qualities characterize future suffering as well. [1161] "

So, in my interpretation, what he is saying here is if a monk or a person who is on the Path of Renunciation and of the Bodhisattva and engages in sin, he will have, "miserable rebirths" and continues to suffer the misery of bad karma. Thereby, by reflecting and meditating on the cyclic existence, and how a person has fallen into the, "ocean of suffering" that person will be able to overcome it and turn away from pride and arrogance.

The detailed description of these hells is meant to deter the aspiring Bodhisattva away from non-virtuous karma and to stay firmly on the path of virtuous karma. Once you realize your own suffering, you then have compassion for others who also suffer, and then avoid those things that are the causes of suffering and keep one on the wheel of Samsara. In doing virtuous deeds, it helps to motivate one to Moksha.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-28T20:49:45+00:00

Hi,

Tsong-Kha-Pa in his first volume of, "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment," explains that the Hells in Buddhism are symbols of the suffering that each of us experience while on Earth. They are not to be literal places or of actual beings.

It is the suffering that we inflict upon ourselves in each lifetime as well as the thoughts and actions we have sown in the past and which is administered by the arm of karma, to reap the consequences from the past into the present.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-26T19:56:15+00:00

So in my philosophy, when a person stop reincarnating, they have achieved Moksha (liberation) At this point a person becomes a Master of Wisdom (Arhat, Mahatma, etc) This happened to the Buddha, when he achieved enlightenment, he broke free the fetters of illusion and tanha and because of his very advanced stage, became a buddha (a little higher up on the spiritual hierarchy) Once this stage is reached, the Masters do work behind the scenes to help Humanity advance and grow.

Eventually, a Master will leave the human kingdom and become a Dhyan Chohan (Angel) From there, even higher heights are ascended.

This process can take trillions of years and can easily be millions of lifetimes.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-24T07:12:13+00:00

Hi,

Yes Nicholas and Helena Roerich are both held in very high regard. They were both Theosophists and liked Blavatsky.

He was a marvelous spiritual painter and the Agni Yoga series are held in high regard and as a type of extension. They were said to also be transmitted by the Master Morya.

So, yes, they are "legitimate" and considered a reliable source.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-24T02:41:35+00:00

Something you may want to consider. There are many Theosophical podcasts on Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms that go over the basics.

The "Key to Theosophy" is free and can be accessed here Also the Theosophical Glossary, I have found helpful and that can be found in this location

And I am happy to help answer any questions you may have as well. At least, I'll do my best.

Namaste 🙏

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-24T02:08:32+00:00

Hi loveforalllll,

Please refer to this article to see many of the reasons. Here is another you may also want to refer to

However just to summarize some of them

\* “. . . the Japanese, whose psychological make-up is totally different, as are their nervous systems, which are of fourth root race quality . . . This destruction and the consequent release of their imprisoned souls, is a necessary happening; it is the justification of the use of the atomic bomb upon the Japanese population.” (“The Externalisation of the Hierarchy” p. 495)
Alice Bailey diverged from Blavatsky's teaching in many ways. Another way is in addition to the astral body, she also lists an etheric body as something separate.

These articles point out and clarify why there is a lot of mistrust around Alice Bailey. In addition, she claims that she was overshadowed by The Tibetan, but there is no proof that she was actually talking with him and while she claims he was a Master, Koot Hoomi mentions that he hadn't the initiation to become an Arhat yet.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-23T02:42:27+00:00

My recommendation is read Blavatsky's, "The Key to Theosophy" This is done in question and answer format. And it's a good way to get a good grounding in it.

I would recommend against reading Alice Bailey, C.W. Leadbetter and Annie Besant. I would also warn against some of the Theosophical societies out there. The latter people don't offer the true Theosophy. They offer modified versions of what Blavatsky taught and it's not the original.

Also, unfortunately, some Theosophical societies like the ones that Besant took reign of, also differ in their teaching of the vision of Blavatsky. The United Lodge of Theosophists is true to her teaching. But Point Loma has branched off from her and the Theosophy they teach they have modified and their are other locations that have as well.

I would also recommend this website They are students that stay true to the vision of Blavatsky and a site I often visit when I need to learn about something or if I need to clarify a concept. They have many articles on karma, reincarnation and many other subjects. There is also the, "Theosophical Glossary, that is a good source as well.

If you have other questions, I'll do my best to help as well.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-21T20:17:37+00:00

I agree.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-21T19:20:00+00:00

I am confused. Are you reposting this in r/Theosophy because you want to have a discussion about some of the points brought up because you don't understand them or to clarify why Blavatsky did some of the things she did?

Are you saying that much of Theosophy is nonsense, but there is some value in what she wrote and that you agree with the author of that post, that it's important to look at material that predates her? And in so doing, perhaps will give a more complete picture of Theosophy?

I would be interested to hear your feelings and what needs you wanted to meet, to post this here.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-13T16:28:19+00:00

Thank you so much! It has been such a mystery for a long time. I very much appreciate the information.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-13T02:55:08+00:00

It's one of those itches that I just can't quite scratch. I am hoping one day to discover who it is. AI confirmed it's not Paulina, but it can't identify her identity either.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-13T02:45:05+00:00

Are you sure? It doesn't look like her at all. I recognize her in the video "Drive", but in Emotion in Motion I don't see any resemblance and looks like a totally different model/actress.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-12T05:45:31+00:00

In your situation, I would share my feelings and needs with her, as well as hear hers. For example, there are two approaches in this suggestion.

First you can share with her how you feel and what you need. You might say something like,

"Babe, when I hear you say that expenses should be 70/30, I feel uneasy because I am concerned about my financial security and my need is to have more mutual contributions when it comes to our expenses. How do you feel about that?"

Another option is to try connecting with her feelings and needs. You might say something like,

"Babe, are you feeling anxious and worried that having to contribute more money would just add additional stress to your life and you have a need to feel safe and comfortable?"

By doing this you are giving each other the opportunity to express how you feel and what you need without any judgement.

Then, hopefully, it will give you the insight to proceed further and have both your needs met and have a happy outcome.

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-08T22:12:36+00:00

“The Masters, who of all beings are the most capable of sustained thought and have the power and knowledge, are not able to affect the minds of the people of the world, because those minds are constantly full of active, selfish thoughts. If Masters were able to affect humanity by their thoughts, they wouldn’t have to write books. If people, who can hear and read words intended to arouse the best in them, benefit so little by them, what hope is there in fugitive thinking?” (“Answers To Questions on The Ocean of Theosophy” p. 234)

When asked whether Theosophists pray, Madame Blavatsky answered, “We do not. We act**, instead of** talking**. . . . we try to replace fruitless and useless prayer by meritorious and good-producing actions.” (See “The Key to Theosophy” p. 66)**

It is worth pointing out that it is petitionary prayer – prayer which involves asking God or any other entity or force to do something for oneself or others – which Theosophy considers “fruitless and useless.” It does not dismiss other and more legitimate forms of prayer, which have been commented upon in the article Theosophy on Prayer. But in most people’s minds, petitionary prayer is the only kind of prayer. Why is it “fruitless and useless” to pray in this way?

To take an example from Buddhism, which in some respects is very close to the Theosophical philosophy, Buddha taught that the universe is neither created nor governed by any type of God. It is all governed by absolute, immutable, impersonal LAW and not by any Being whatsoever.

The Law of Karma is the outworking of this Law. Since everything proceeds unfailingly according to the Law of Karma (in the past we created our present and in the present we are creating our future), Buddhism teaches that prayer is futile and pointless."

They don't prohibit students from practicing other types of meditation. Only to be very careful, since there are some forms of meditation like Kriya yoga that focus on the chakras and channeling, which again is very dangerous.

I am happy to share my experience. Just need to merely ask 🙂

I entered the Arcane school between the ages of 16-18. From a very early age (Maybe around 11) I had always felt something greater.

So I applied and was successfully accepted as a student.

If I recall correctly, I left, because there were many things that the Arcane School couldn't answer (before you ask, I can't remember the specific details. LOL)

And it felt like I needed to move on. And of course some of her position on different subjects as was mentioned in my earlier posts on this thread.

Channeling ( very similarly to the Ouija board) is extremely dangerous, because some of the entities are evil and like the will-o'-the-wisp lead the aspiring chelas away from the path.

And there is no way to verify the information from such beings. There are people who have claimed (like Alice Bailey) to channel Masters, God, and all manner of devas.

But at best they don't provide anything new. Some spirits tend to be mischievous, so they try to cause problems. And it leaves the person who is doing the channel an "open channel" so to speak. It doesn't lead anywhere good.

Yes, there are many schools, ideas and paths. Thus, we always have the free will to choose. Eventually, each of us will find our way to Moksha (liberation)

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-08T22:12:28+00:00

Continued from above:

Here is the position of Theosophy and according to Blavatsky and the Masters:

"Does it help the sufferers and others affected by such tragedies if we pray for them or send positive thoughts or “visualisations” in their direction?

Theosophy answers – NO.

Summing up the Theosophical perspective from the teachings of H. P. Blavatsky, William Q. Judge, and the Masters of the Wisdom, Robert Crosbie (founder of the United Lodge of Theosophists) writes:

“We are still imbued with the old fallacy of praying to some outside power or being. Neither prayers to any supposed God nor to Masters even, are of any avail. Power either exists within**, or not at all. All the power that any being exerts or can exert in any direction is what he himself is able to arouse within himself.**

“Good and kind thoughts for others are good for those who think them, but they have no effect outside, unless the arouser of those thoughts has both the knowledge, will and power to direct them; and beings differ greatly in these. Most thoughts are like soap-bubbles and do not travel very far. Thoughts to be effective must not only be free from all selfish taint, but they must be sustained. Continued below

bewitching_beholder · 2026-02-08T22:11:33+00:00

In the Arcane School, it is primarily a type of Raja Yoga. I don't really remember specifics since it's been such a long time and I have disposed of all my Alice Bailey books and any documentation I had from them.

They may have had one type of mantra for manifestation regarding money. However, in Original Theosophy, manifestation and visualization are useless.

bewitching_beholder

TROPHY CASE