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ON PSEUDO-THEOSOPHY

A Compilation from Theosophical Literature


Critiques of Besant and Leadbeater's Neo-Theosophy compared to the original
Theosophy presented by Blaats!y"
Volume I
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Contents
1. Is Theosophy a Definite Philosophy? - Wilks
2. The Akashic Records - B. Sc.
. An Appeal - !lark
". Ans#er to Besant - $artyn
%. Basic Principles - &irkoff
'. Annie Besant - Prentice
(. Besant)s *endetta - +.A.W.
,. -!andles in the S.n- - Re/ie#
0. !lair/oyance and $orality - 1e/y
12. A !o3parati/e St.dy - Red fern
11. !.W.1. A.stralian Scandal - 4ddin5ton
12. 1ead6eater)s -7cc.lt !he3istry-
1. 7.r Del.ded Brethren - S3ythe
1". Doctrine We Pro3.l5ate - &irkoff
1%. So3e Propositions - 4nders6y
1'. +ifty 8ears - Pl.s Ten - S3ythe
1(. The +o.ntainhead - Besant
1,. 9enesis of a $ytholo5y - 4nders6y
10. 7n -9od- - $iddleton
22. The :idden *oice - W.4. S3all
21. :is $a;esty)s 7ppostion - Ro5er
22. :odson !orrespondence
2. :o# to S<.are the Teachin5s - =.d5e
2". The 1.!.!. and the T.S.
2%. -Is This Theosophy?- - Re/ie#
2'. >eep the Teachin5s !lear? - &irkoff
2(. >.hn Takes 7n $orrish
2,. 1.!.!. 7ri5ins
20. 1ead6eater and the Incas - :are
2. 1ead6eater !ri3es - -4sotericist-
1. 1ead6oater +atally Torpedoed - $.R.=.
2. 1etter to =inara;adasa - Winner
. The 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch - Ben;a3in
". $ahat3as and Reli5ion - Wilks
%. -$anas- on @eo-Theosophy
'. $ars and 4arth - Besant
(. $ars and $erc.ry - -The Path-
,. $ars and $erc.ry - DalAell
0. $istaken @otions - 4.P.W.
"2. The 4theric Do.6le - +arthin5
"1. Theosophy Tr.e and +alse - 4d5e
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[1]
IS THEOSOPHY A DEFINITE PHILOSOPHY?
It is the policy of the Adyar Theosophical Society to insist that Theosophy has no
definite teachin5 or doctrines. This is #hat the leadin5 7fficials of the Society 3aintain and
eBpect the 3e36ers to accept. Dr. Bendit for eBa3pleC in the $arch 10'1 #cience $roup
%ournalC 1ondonC specifically stated that -Theosophy . . . is a thin5 #hich can ne/er 6e defined
and one can ne/er say Dthis is TheosophyC this is not) - and later in the sa3e letter he refers to
-. . . #hat #e so often . . . and #ron5ly . . . refer to as Dthe teachin5s of Theosophy).- In a later
letter in the S.9.=. =.ly 10'1C he #rites -What I #rote 3oreo/erC I #rote as $eneral #ecretary
Eitalics hisFC and to defend the line of the Society in this 3atter . . .- e3phasiAin5 that he #as
layin5 do#n and defendin5 the policy of the T.S. re5ardin5 the noneBistence of any definite
teachin5 called Theosophy.
$r. Sri Ra3C o.r PresidentC confir3s this policy 6y statin5 in his openin5 re3arks to the
,th So.th Indian !onference at AdyarC <.oted in The Canadian TheosophistC =.ly-A.5.stC
10'1C -7.r .nderstandin5 of Theosophy constantly chan5es as #e 5ro# and 3at.re. In fact I
#o.ld say that the lon5er one is in the Theosophical $o/e3ent the 3ore diffic.lt it is to say
#hat Theosophy is 6eca.seC first of allC it is so s.6tleG secondlyC it is profo.ndG and thirdly it is
all e36racin5 and co3prehensi/e-.
There is nothin5 ne# in this Adyar T.S. attit.de to#ard Theosophy. +or years pastC or
rather for decadesC one has heard it said that - Theosophy is #hat each one thinks it isC or yo.
cannot say thisC or thatC is Theosophy. :o#e/erC to .s at leastC it is ne# to ha/e
representati/e 7fficials of the Society co3e for#ard and lay it .pon the line that there is no
s.ch thin5 as a definite philosophy called Theosophy.
Both in the 1etters of the $ahat3as and thro.5ho.t The #ecret &octrine it is clai3ed
that a redeclaration of so3e of the Ancient Wisdo3C the 4soteric PhilosophyC held in the
5.ardianship of the BrothersC is 6ein5 5i/en o.t s.pported 6y inn.3era6le <.otations fro3
ancient so.rces. 'ahatma Letters pa5e "1(C -+or the present #e offer o.r kno#led5e - so3e
portions of it at least - to 6e either accepted or re;ected on its o#n 3erits independently -
entirely so - fro3 the so.rce fro3 #hich it e3anates.-
This philosophy contains clear and definite doctrines and teachin5s #hich 3ake a
co3prehensi/e #hole s.ch as the #orld has not had in historic ti3es. It contains all 3an
needs to kno# to orientate hi3self in the Hni/erseC #ith kno#led5e #ith #hich to carry o.t his
f.nctionC the p.rpose of h.3anity on this planet. $.1.)s pa5e 2 - -The tr.ths and 3ysteries
of occ.ltis3 constit.teG indeedC a 6ody of the hi5hest spirit.al i3portanceC at once profo.nd
and practical for the #orld at lar5e. 8etC it is not as a 3ere addition to the tan5led 3ass of
theory or spec.lation in the #orld of science that they are 6ein5 5i/en to yo.C 6.t for their
practical 6earin5 on the interests of 3ankind-. This philosophy the +o.nders deno3inated 6y
the ancient na3e Theosophy. Hnless this state3ent is rep.diatedC ho# can it 6e 3aintained
that Theosophy has no definite doctrines or teachin5s?
This is #hat the $ahat3as #roteC $.1.)s pa5e %1C -We ha/e offered to eBh.3e the
pri3e/al strata of 3an)s 6ein5C his 6asic nat.reC and lay 6are the #onderf.l co3plications of
his inner Self - so3ethin5 ne/er to 6e achie/ed 6y physiolo5y or e/en psycholo5y in its
.lti3ate eBpression - and de3onstrate it scientifically-.
The Adyar clai3 that Theosophy has no definite doctrines has 6eco3e s.pre3ely
i3portant 6eca.se of the ne# dispensation in the T.S.C a co3plete re/ersal of policyC as a
res.lt of #hich the 3e36ers are e/ery#here no# .r5ed to st.dy The #ecret &octrine and
The 'ahatma Letters. +or '2 years the 3e36ers of the Adyar T.S. ha/e 6een led to st.dy
and proselytiAe @eo-TheosophyC the philosophical syste3 of A.B. and !.W.1.C #hich is lar5ely
6ased .pon their clai3ed clair/oyant researchesC in place of Theosophy.
@eo-Theosophy #as do.6tless in/ented to p.t for#ard a si3plified /ariant of
Theosophy for pop.lar cons.3ptionC 6.t this atte3pt 5ot o.t of hand. The #hole effort of the
Society #as t.rned to#ard increasin5 3e36ership. TheosophyC the a.stereC so.l-satisfyin5
philosophy of the early daysC #as #atered do#n and 3aterialiAed to 3ake easy readin5. It
#as distorted to pander to pop.lar pre;.dice. It #as denat.red so that its i3personal spirit.al
/al.es #ere forsaken for e3otional i3itations. Th.s @eo-Theosophy #as esta6lished in the
Adyar T.S. and .pon this teachin5 alone has the 3ass of the 3e36ership 6een n.rt.red this
half cent.ry. The #hole Society #as 5i/en o/er to @eo-TheosophyC apart fro3 reactionary
3e36ersC #ho as indi/id.alsC lod5esC and one @ational SectionC resisted this s.pplantin5 of
Theosophy 6y the ne#ly concocted @eo-Theosophy of A.B. and !.W.1. In 4n5landC +ranceC
IrelandC A.straliaC A.striaC 9er3anyC and !anadaC Eand Dr. StokesC al3ost alone in the Hnited
StatesF 3e36ers fo.5ht to eBpose and oppose this de5radation of Theosophy. So3e of
these 3e36ers left the SocietyC findin5 their /ie#s ref.sed eBpressionG others - the 3a;ority -
stayed inC the 6etter to fi5ht the e/il #hich had o/ertaken the Adyar T.S.C #ith the .lti3ate ai3
of reclai3in5 the Society for Theosophy - the 4soteric Philosophy of the Brothers.
:.P.B.)s 6ooks #ere 6ack-shel/ed and 3e36ers ref.sed access to the3 on the eBc.se
of their 6ein5 too diffic.lt for the3. :er 6ooksC her na3eC practically disappeared fro3 T.S.
lod5es and p.6lications. @e/er #ere her 6ooks ad/ertisedC #hilst lar5e space #as reser/ed
for @eo-Theosophical 6ooks of A.B. and !.W.1. Rarely #as her na3e 3entioned. +or lon5
periods The #ecret &octrine( )sis( The *ey to TheosophyC #ere not proc.ra6le fro3 the Adyar
Theosophical P.6lishin5 :o.se. At the sa3e ti3e the 3ass of the 3e36ershipC 3any of
the3 3alcontents fro3 $ethodist !h.rches #ho #ere told that -Theosophy #ill 5i/e yo. 6ack
yo.r reli5ion- for3ed the h.5e 6ody of #illin5C 6lind follo#ersC han5in5 .pon the
prono.nce3ents of their Belo/ed 1eadersC and <.ite innocent of any kno#led5e of
Theosophy itself.
When The 'ahatma Letters #as p.6lished in 102C the 3ost /al.a6le of all 6ooks in
the opinion of 3ost of its st.dentsC and .n<.estiona6ly epoch 3akin5 in its i3pact .pon the
Theosophical $o/e3entC the difference 6et#een Theosophy and @eo-Theosophy #as
hi5hli5htedC 6.t this 6ookC .pon the ad/ice of AdyarC has not 6een st.died 6y the o6edient
3e36ers .ntil no#C thirty-ei5ht years later. @o one can read the clearly en.nciated teachin5
of the Adepts 5i/en to the t#o 4n5lish3en in IndiaC to spearhead their philosophy in the WestC
#itho.t 6eco3in5 i33ediately conscio.s of the conflict in teachin5C in /al.esC and in attit.de
to lifeC #hich eBists 6et#een these teachin5s and @eo-Theosophy.
It is /ery i3portant that a clear distinction 6e 3ade and 3aintained 6et#een
TheosophyC the 4soteric Philosophy of the BrothersC 3ade a/aila6le thro.5h the #orks of
their A5entC :.P.B.C and their o#n 'ahatma LettersC on the one handG and all s.6se<.ent
teachin5s #hich offer to eBplainC enlar5eC or carry for#ard these doctrines fro3 the So.rceC on
the other hand. Whether it 6e the @eo-Theosophy of A.B. and !.W.1.C the psychic
prono.nce3ents of Alice BaileyC the #orks of Willia3 >in5slandC or those of Dr. de P.r.ckerC
the interpretation of The #ecret &octrine 6y >atherine :illiardC or that of $r. 9. Bar6orkaC all
these and 3any 3ore sho.ld 6e kno#n and realiAed as co33entaries all 3ore or less
colored 6y the preconceptionsC if not 6y the psychic conceptionsC of the a.thorC .pon the
ori5inal teachin5s of the Adepts. The st.dent sho.ldC at all ti3esC kno# #hether he is
st.dyin5 TheosophyC or so3e co33entary .ponC or /ariant of Theosophy.
@o#C #hen the 3e36ers for the first ti3e for half a cent.ryC are 6ein5 t.rned to the
st.dy of Theosophy itselfC e/erythin5 sho.ld 6e fine? @ot so easily is 5reat ad/anta5e #on
for enli5hten3ent. They are also 6ein5 .r5ed to st.dy @eo-Theosophy firstC the res.lt 6ein5
that Theosophy and @eo-Theosophy #ill 6eco3e ineBtrica6ly 3iBed in the 3inds of the
3e36ersC a res.lt 5reatly to 6e deplored. !onse<.ently #e stron5ly oppose this policy at
Adyar #hich declares that Theosophy has no definite teachin5 and that no one can say
Theosophy teaches thisC and not that. Both Theosophy and @eo-Theosophy are definite
philosophiesC 6.t different as the s.n fro3 the 3oon fro3 one anotherC and this sho.ld 6e
clearly reco5niAed 6y al#ays .sin5 different na3es for each of the3.
Why is it s.pre3ely i3portant to keep the philosophy called TheosophyC in its .n3iBed
p.rity as a li/in5 /ital teachin5 a/aila6le for those #ho can .se it for the 6enefit of h.3anity?
4/ery spirit.al philosophy of the pastC #e are toldC e3anated fro3 the BrotherhoodC #hich has
in its c.stodianship all s.ch kno#led5eG and e/ery atte3pt to enli5hten 3ankind spirit.ally
has sooner or later s.ffered the sa3e fate. Relin<.ished a3on5st the co33onality of 3enC it
s.ffers distortion to confor3 #ith pop.lar pre;.dice. SeiAed .pon 6y the priests in all a5esC
'ahatma LettersC pa5e %,C -I5norance created 9ods and c.nnin5 took ad/anta5e of
opport.nity. 1ook at India and look at !hristendo3 and Isla3C at =.dais3 and +etichis3. It is
priestly i3post.re that rendered these 9ods so terri6le to 3anG it is reli5ion that 3akes of hi3
the selfish 6i5otC the fanatic that hates all 3ankind o.t of his o#n sect #itho.t renderin5 hi3
any 6etter or 3oral for it. It is 6elief in 9od and 9ods that 3akes t#o-thirds of h.3anity the
sla/es of a handf.l of those #ho decei/e the3 .nder the false pretense of sa/in5 the3C etc.-
TheosophyC or any spirit.al teachin5C is not a co3forta6le thin5 to li/e #ith. It de3ands
co.ra5e and deter3ination and .ns#er/in5 dedication to tr.th. It de3ands effort and
sacrifices fro3 the ease and co3fort and pleas.re lo/in5 part of 3anC and a6o/e all it
re<.ires that the D9iant Weed)C the o6session and lo/e of selfC 3.st sooner or later 6e
attacked and e/ent.ally destroyed. 4ffort therefore 3.st constantly 6e 3aintained 6y all
those #ho percei/e the need to offset the conscio.s and .nconscio.s 3eans e/er acti/e to
dra5 the philosophy do#n to the personal le/el to 6eco3e one 3ore reli5ion to conf.se
3ankind and to stand in the #ay of his spirit.al pro5ress.
+.rtherC apart fro3 the nat.ral h.3an #eaknesses #e all are heir toC there are those
sinister po#ers #hich 6oth the $ahat3as and :.P.B. declare are al#ays on the looko.t #here
the aspiration for the enli5hten3ent of 3ankind eBistsC in order to oppose and distort its
operationC and deflect it fro3 its p.rpose. They .s.ally s.cceed in doin5 thisC as they
e/idently did in the Adyar Theosophical Society to a lar5e de5reeC 6y s.6tly infl.encin5 the
3inds of those 3ost pro3inent in the Society #ho #ere takin5 the lead. It is .s.ally the
indi/id.als #ho 6elie/e they are .tterly sincere in their desire to #ork for othersC #ho ne/er
drea3 of <.estionin5 their o#n secret 3oti/esC #ho pro/e 3ost /.lnera6leC and helplessly
6eco3e si3ply tools in the hands of these Po#ersC #hose f.nction it is to oppose Spirit.al
li5ht.
@o# there is no #ay of a/oidin5 this atte3pt 6y the +orces of Darkness to oppose the
Po#ers of 1i5ht. Accordin5 to :.P.B. it is the la# inherent in the /ery nat.re of thin5s.
Theosophy tells .s that e/ery pro;ection of Spirit.al ener5y into h.3an life a.to3atically
in/okes an effort of an opposite kind 6y the +orces of Darkness to oppose it. This conflict
6et#een these t#o 5reat infl.ences takes place in the li/es of 3en and #o3en. The forces of
1i5ht a#aken and sti3.late the indi/id.al)s 3ore h.3an <.alitiesC his intelli5ence and #ill and
his finerC 3ore selfless aspirations. The +orces of Darkness play .pon and call into acti/ity
the <.alities of his 6lind separati/e nat.re thro.5h his hidden spirit.al a36itionC lo/e of po#er
and h.3an ad.lationC his /anity and all the 3any for3s of self-lo/e. This conditionC #here
these t#o 5reat sets of forces play .pon the indi/id.al)s life and 6id for his self-conscio.s
alle5ianceC set .p a state of strainC of tension in his life o/er a period of ti3eC as a res.lt of
#hich he 3.st 3ake a conscio.s choice. If he chooses to follo# his intelli5ent aspiration and
ally hi3self #ith the Po#ers of 1i5htC all #ill 6e #ell #ith Theosophy and #ith his o#n spirit.al
life. If he chooses to follo# his selfish lesser nat.re and ally hi3self #ith the +orces of the
Shado#C this decision of his #ill pro/e disastro.s to hi3self and to Theosophy. There is no
#ay 6y #hich this conflict 3ay 6e a/oided in a Spirit.al 3o/e3ent. So3eone 3.st 6e a6le to
accept it if Spirit.al li5ht is to 6e kept a/aila6le in h.3an lifeC for the only #ay s.ch 1i5ht can
6e kept in h.3an life is in the li/es of 3en and #o3en. To dateC in the T.S.C there
.ndo.6tedly has 6een an .n6roken line of st.dents #ho #ere s.fficiently sincere and positi/e
in their aspiration as to accept this conflict in their o#n li/es and to end.re it and to not 5i/e
#ay #holly .nder it to their lesser nat.re. In 3any instances these st.dents #ere <.ite
.na#are of the i3portance of this eBperience to Theosophy. B.t e/ery st.dent #hoC #hen the
press.re ca3e .pon his personal life in the 3idst of the see3in5 /ery ordinary daily
eBperiences of h.3an li/in5C ref.sed to 5i/e #ay to the selfish pro3ptin5s of his lesser nat.re
and took his stand 6y #hat he 6elie/ed to 6e ri5ht and tr.eC 6y this /ery decision of hisC 6y the
spirit of the actionC contri6.ted in no s3all 3eas.re to the contin.ed eBistence of Theosophy
in h.3an life. In this connection #e #o.ld like to <.ote fro3 a letter 6y $rs. BesantC dated
=.ne 0thC 102'C <.oted in The Canadian Theosophist( =.ly 10".
-7n the path of 7cc.ltis3 there are dan5ers that do not threaten the d#ellers on the
plainsC and one of these is the a#f.l po#er of 5la3orC .sed 6y the Brothers of the Shado#C to
del.de the cli36er. 7nly the .tter3ost p.rity and tr.th 5i/e the3 no platfor3 fro3 #hich to
#orkC and in #hich of .s are to 6e fo.nd perfect p.rity and tr.th? @ot in 3yself. I kno#C
tho.5h I stri/e after the3C 6.t ha/e not yet reached the3 . . . If they interfered too soonC They
#o.ld ro6 .s of o.r lessonC keep .s p.r6lindC and d#arf o.r 5ro#th. In the lon5 r.n Their
patience 3eans o.r 5reatnessC and They can afford to #ait for stron5 3en. What is the
fail.re of one life? =.d5e has fallen on this perilo.s path of 7cc.ltis3G 1ead6eater has fallen
on itG /ery likely I too shall fallC 6.t #e shall all co3e 6ack and #ork a5ain. If the day of 3y
fall shall co3e I ask those #ho lo/e 3eC not to shrink fro3 conde3nin5 3y fa.ltC not to
atten.ate itC or say that 6lack is #hiteG 6.t rather let the3 li5hten 3y hea/y kar3aC as I a3
tryin5 to li5hten that of 3y friend and 6rotherC 6y sayin5 that 6lack is 6lackC 6y proclai3in5 the
.nshaken p.rity of the idealC and 6y declarin5 that the fall of an indi/id.al lea/es .nshattered
their tr.st in the $asters of P.rity and !o3passion. 7n that rock #e rest.-
There is roo3 in s.ch a dedicated 6ody as the T.S. #hen it possesses a core of 3en
and #o3enC a n.cle.s of BrotherhoodC dedicated to tr.e TheosophyC to Tr.thC for a si3plified
teachin5 for the en<.irerC and for those not ready as yet to take the philosophy really
serio.slyC altho.5h it sho.ld al#ays 6e kept in 3ind as :.P.B. #rote to $r. Sinnett $arch 1(thC
1,,'. -If the +o.nders of the Society and the +o.nders or Presidents of the Branches had
e/er kept in /ie# the fact that it is not so 3.ch the <.antity #e are in need ofC 6.t the <.alityC
to 3ake the Society a s.ccessC half of the disasters #o.ld ha/e 6een a/oided.- :o#e/er
#hen the si3plification of the teachin5 takes the for3 of introd.cin5 a personal 9od - the
ni5ht3are the Brothers hoped 6y the T.S. to destroy. 'ahatma LettersC pa5e %. -7.r chief
ai3 is to deli/er h.3anity of this ni5ht3areC to teach 3an /irt.e for its o#n sakeC and to #alk
in life relyin5 on hi3self instead of leanin5 on a theolo5ical cr.tchC that for co.ntless a5es #as
the direct ca.se of nearly all h.3an 3isery.-
And the incorporation of Spirit.alists ideas re5ardin5 after death conditionsC is another
thin5 #hich de3anded that Theosophy 6e instit.ted to offset this tendency to#ard
necro3ancy. $.1.)s pa5e %C -And lastly it #ill appear that the present tidal #a/e of
pheno3enaC #ith its /aried effects .pon h.3an tho.5ht and feelin5C 3ade the re/i/al of
Theosophical en<.iry an indispensa6le necessity-. When kindness and a3ia6ility take
precedence o/er co.ra5e and tr.th as theosophical /al.esC #hen priests and Bishops enter
and take hi5h office in the T.S.C not as indi/id.al st.dentsC to #hich there #o.ld 6e no
o6;ectionC 6.t preferentially as priests and BishopsC then the si3plification and pop.lariAation
of Theosophy has reached the rock 6otto3 of de5radation. S.ch pop.lariAation of a no6le
philosophy 3.st 6e fore/er opposed.
In concl.sionC in the li5ht of the a6o/e #e hold that it is i3possi6le to 3aintain that the
philosophy 3ade a/aila6le as Theosophy to#ard the end of the 10th cent.ryC is not a definite
philosophy of #hich it can 6e said that it does teach this and not that. And f.rther that it
sho.ld al#ays 6e clearly distin5.ished fro3 all later /ariants or eBtensionsG or e/ol.tionsC or
fro3 any and all co33entaries .pon itC so that st.dents shall kno# at all ti3es #hen they are
st.dyin5 the ori5inal philosophy of the BrothersC or #hen it is so3e prod.ction #hich is in
so3e sense a co33entary .pon it.
It is not eno.5hC ho#e/erC to 6lindly accept and 6elie/e TheosophyC or any part of itC
;.st 6eca.se it is the philosophy of the Brothers. $aha-!hohan)s letterC -The doctrine #e
pro3.l5ate . . . . enforcin5 its theories - .ni3peacha6le facts to those #ho kno# . . .-
Theosophy #as 5i/en to .sC nothin5 3ore than theories to .sC Ealtho.5h -a6sol.te tr.th to
those #ho kno#-F theories #hich #e ha/e to eBa3ineC eBploreC and test o.t in e/ery #ay
open to .s. A 3ite of certainty of o.r o#n is 3ore /al.a6le than a #hole philosophy #hich is
still a 3atter of spec.lationC or 6lind 6elief.
!o33entaries can 6e /ery /al.a6le #hen 5i/in5 .s the res.lts of other 3inds strainin5
to .nderstand and realiAe the theosophical teachin5s #hich transcend the p.rely rational
3ind. B.t none of this is possi6le .nless the ori5inal philosophy itself is kept separate and
in/iola6le for those can 3ake .se of it for the3sel/es and for h.3anity.
The T.S. has 6een called the /ehicle of Theosophy. It #as created to sponsor
Theosophy 6efore the #orld. It #as into the hands of the Society that the in/al.a6le 3odern
re/elation of the Arcane Wisdo3 #as 5i/en. S.rely it is the sacred d.ty of the Adyar
Theosophical Society to 5.ard and keep this kno#led5e as a li/in5 thin5 in its ori5inal p.rity
a/aila6le for the 5enerations to co3e.
+inallyC it sho.ld 6e clearly .nderstood that #e oppose this -line of the Society- #hich
insists that Theosophy has no definite teachin5 first 6eca.se the Theosophical $o/e3ent
#as the 3eans of 3akin5 a/aila6le a redeclaration of so3e of the principles and kno#led5e
of the Ancient Wisdo3C not 6y collectin5 scraps of this Wisdo3 to 6e fo.nd in Ancient
So.rcesG 6.t 6y a fresh o.tpo.rin5 fro3 the -So.rce- as plainly stated. Second to a/oid and
offset the 3iBin5 of the 4soteric philosophy of the BrothersC Theosophy as the +o.nders
na3ed itC #ith other andC different and conflictin5 teachin5s also p.t for#ard as Theosophy.
- W.4. Wilks. 7rphe.s 1od5e
- Canadian TheosophistC =an-+e6C 10'2
--------------------
[2]
Te !A"#s$% &e%o'(s)!
And +o, to -ead Them
By B .Sc.
The @o/e36er iss.e of &a,n contained an article in #hich $r. 1ead6eater)s
pretensions as a st.dent of che3istry #ere eBa3ined. It #as pointed o.t that his dia5ra3s
rest on no ori5inal 6asisC and that his description of physical ato3s cannot 6e reconciled #ith
facts of recent disco/ery.
Since the +e6r.ary iss.e of The .ccult -eie, has co3e to handC #e are in a position
to esti3ate the /al.e of $r. 1ead6eater)s alle5ed clair/oyant 3ethods of research in history.
The paper in <.estionC #hich has a rep.tation for honesty and i3partialityC contained t#o
articles ha/in5 reference to #hat the 4ditorC $r. Ralph ShirleyC calls the /roblem of the
A!ashic -ecords. The firstC A Cameo from Clairoyant +istoryC 6y W3. 1oft.s :areC is a
critical esti3ate of $r. 1ead6eater)s clai3s as a historian. With the secondC on Dr. Steiner)s
#orkC #e are not here concerned.
$r. ShirleyC in his s.33ary of these articlesC #rites of $r. 1ead6eater)s #orkI
-There is the s.55estion or s.spicion of trickery #ith earlier historical records and
p.ttin5 the3 in a ne# settin5C #ith a /ie# to esta6lishin5 or defendin5 certain reincarnationist
theories #ith #hich historyC 6y a /iolent a6.se of chronolo5ical factsC is 3ade to s<.are.
Alternati/ely there is so3e other eBplanation #hich is not at least apparent on the s.rface. If
the s.pposed reincarnations of )Hlysses) or )Alcyone) rest .pon s.ch e/idence as thisC #e can
s.rely afford to treat the3 #ith a s3ile.-
In o.r opinionC if #e accept $r. :are)s esti3ate of the positionC #hich #e ha/e e/ery
reason to 6elie/e is so.ndC $r. Shirley)s re3arks err /ery 3.ch on the side of leniency.
$e36ers of the Theosophical Society cannot afford to let this 3atter pass #itho.t
co33ent. $r. 1ead6eater sho.ld 6e called .pon for an eBplanationC and is no# in/ited to
sho# reason #hy o.r /erdict sho.ld not 6e acclai3ed in harsher ter3s. There can 6e no
5reater 3isde3eano.r #ithin o.r Society than the sin a5ainst Tr.thC and the atte3pt to
3islead others #ho are defenceless #here 3atters of science or o6sc.re history are in
<.estion.
$r. :are)s case r.ns 6riefly as follo#sI - The -!a3eo- he <.otes is to 6e fo.nd in
-The TheosophistC- 7cto6erC 101(C p. 01. It is headed -ents in the 0eil of Time - The 1ourth
Life of 2lysses Es.pposed to 6e a for3er life of !ol. 7Icott - 4ds.FC and opens th.sI
-In 1%2, B.!. Alcyone #as 6orn in ancient Persia as a co.sin of the last &arath.straC
and Hlysses appeared at this ti3e as kin5. Hlysses) father #as 1ohraspC #ho r.led o/er a
co.ntryC ha/in5 its capital not far fro3 ShiraA.... :is EHlysses)F na3e Eas kin5F #as *ishtaspa.-

$r. :are <.otes the #hole lifeC 6.t this #ill s.ffice for the present p.rpose. The fifth
-life- of Hlysses #as printed in The TheosophistC 101(C p. 100. The t#enty-ei5hth -life- of
Alcyone #as 5i/en in the iss.e of =an.aryC 1011 Efo.rteen pa5esFC and is placed 6y $r.
1ead6eater isochrono.s #ith the fo.rth -life- of HlyssesC <.oted 6y $r. :areC in #hich
Alcyone #as 6orn in 1%2,. @o# in this last-na3ed iss.e E=an.aryC 1011FC $r. WadiaC #ho had
then #orked t#o years side 6y side #ith $r. 1ead6eaterC #rites his testi3ony is follo#sC
e/idently after ha/in5 read the -Shahna3eh- of +irda.si Eto #hich #e refer laterFC in the
ori5inalC and not a#are that there #as an 4n5lish translationI
-When I first ca3e across this life it #as clear to 3e that I #as fort.nate eno.5h to hit
.pon a clear and decisi/e proof of $r. 1ead6eater)s clair/oyant po#ers. There #ere open to
3e only t#o #ays of eBplainin5 to 3yselfC this pheno3enon of $r. 1ead6eater 6rin5in5 o.t
nearly a score of proper na3esC so3e of the3 /ery o6sc.re. They #ere E1F $r. 1ead6eater is
a tr.ly 5en.ine and scientifically relia6le seerG or E2F he is a fra.dC #ho reads cyclopediasC
o6sc.re historiesC and #hatnotC and then pretends that he can hear and see and #ork on
s.6tler planes.-
:e E$r. WadiaF also #rites decisi/elyI -$r. 1ead6eater kno#s neBt to nothin5 a6o.t
&oroastrianis3G he has not st.died ancient Persian historyC nor e/en per.sed the
)Shahna3eh.)- ERather odd on the part of a pro3inent 3e36er of a society professin5 to
st.dy co3parati/e reli5ion?F
$r. :are proceeds to analyse $r. Wadia)s -proof.- In the first placeC he points o.t that
tho.5h 3.ch is kno#n thro.5h re5.lar so.rces of the life of &oroasterC there are 5aps a6o.t
#hich infor3ation #o.ld 6e 3ost #elco3e. $r. 1ead6eater)s acco.nt is al3ost eBactly
identical #ith +irda.si)s #ritin5sC of #hich a translation fro3 the Persian #as a/aila6le after
1,2C A.D. Ehence $r. Wadia)s #onder3entFG 6.t in place of the ne# infor3ation #hich #e
are entitled to look for fro3 the in/esti5ations of so 5reat a psychic a.thorityC $r. 1ead6eater
offers .s -a strin5 of petty lo/e affairs and psychic ad/ent.res too tri/ial to find their #ay into
sec.lar or reli5io.s history.-
The acco.nts #ere al3ost eBactly identical. $r. Wadia o/erlooked the -al3ost.- The
discrepancy #as noticed 6y Dr. :areC #ho points o.t that $r. 1ead6eater has altered the date
Ea6o.t %%( B.!.FC to 6e inferred fro3 +irda.si)s chronicle of &oroaster)s ti3eC and placed it
6ack a 3ere tho.sand years to 1%2, B.!.
:e reco5nised apparentlyC as others ha/e doneC that +irda.si)s chronolo5y #as
so3e#hat .nrelia6leC Hnfort.nately the disco/ery does not see3 to lea/e 6een 3ade
psychicallyC for $r. :are <.otes the so.rce of the a3ended fi5.re as 6ein5 a 6ook p.6lished
6y =ohn $.rray in 102%C in #hich $r. S.A. >apadiaC a pio.s ParseeC affir3s that -&oroaster
E&arath.straFC the prophet of the ParseesC preached one of his earliest ser3ons nearly %22
years a5oC- th.s placin5 hi3 in the siBteenth cent.ryC #here $r. 1ead6eater disco/ers hi3.
So far no har3 done - #e si3ply ha/e -clair/oyant- confir3ation of +irda.si)s historical facts
and >apadia)s dateG 6.t #hyC 7 #hy did Dari.s I.C the son of *ishtaspa Esee the -!a3eo-
a6o/eFC take it into his head to ha/e the history of his fa3ily car/ed in three lan5.a5es on the
rocks of $t. Behistan for orthodoB historians to disco/er in o.r a5e? Dari.s 3.st 6e 6elie/ed
#hen he <.otes his father)s dateC and incidentally that of &oroaster)s period. The latter is no#
.ni/ersally accepted on this and other e/idence ;.d5ed a.thentic 6y co3petent st.dents as
6ein5 ''2-%, B.!.C to the conf.sion of the -editor- of the Akashic records. $r. :are can
afford to s3ileC for $r. 1ead6eaterC in atte3ptin5 to correct +irda.si)s little 3istake of 122
yearsC is pro/ed to ha/e 3ade an error hi3self of 1C222 years. $oral - ne/er tr.st pio.s
Parsees or other reli5io.s enth.siasts #hen #ritin5 of their o#n prophets.
$r. WadiaC #e /ent.re to thinkC has also chan5ed his 3ind #ith re5ard to $r.
1ead6eater)s psychic po#ersG perhaps -psychicsC- 5.ilty of discrepancies of 022 years in
their historical recordsC 3ay #ell 6e classed as -fra.ds #ho read cyclopediasC o6sc.re
histories and #hat-notC and then pretend they can hear and see and #ork on s.6tler planes.-
$r. :are points o.t yet another point in $r. Wadia)s -proof- that sa/o.rs so3ethin5 of
h.3o.rC co.ld h.3o.r 6e fo.nd in s.ch a tale of apparent chicanery. The na3es of persons
and places in +irda.si)s Persian acco.nt ha/e s.ffered 3.ch chan5e 6y transliteration in the
4n5lish /ersions. &arath.stra the Prophet #e find in the ori5inal appeared as &erd.shtC the
9er6er E$a5ianF. *ishtaspa in the Persian #rote his na3e 9.shtasp. Is it not #onderf.l that
the scri6e of Akashic records circ.3 1%22 B.!. #as a6le to infor3 $r. 1ead6eater #hat for3s
the na3es #o.ld take in the 1,2 4n5lish /ersion?
+or #hat p.rpose does $r. 1ead6eater - one-ti3e cler5y3an of the !h.rch of 4n5land
- professed B.ddhist - and no# -6ishop- of the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch - lay hi3self open to
these char5esC #hich can hardy 6e ref.ted? What are his 3oti/es? $r. :areC after readin5
Hlysses) fifth life is of the opinion that it isI
-To flatter and intri5.e the leaders and leaderettes of the Theosophical 3o/e3ent.
7nce incl.ded in the patch#ork /eil of ti3eC #o/en 6y $r. 1ead6eater)s cl.3sy fin5ersC they
are in his po#erG they ha/e to accept the honors he sho#ers .pon the3C and the positions of
di5nity to #hich he appoints the3 in the hoary past and the distant roseate f.t.re. Those of
.s #ho do not 6eha/e o.rsel/es #ill not find a place in the 5allery of i33ortals. )We kno#
#ho #on)t 6e thereC) says $r. 1ead6eater in his f.nny little #ay.-
$r. :are concl.des his re/ie# #ith this salient para5raphI
-Aforeti3e #e .sed to 6elie/e that #e sho.ld 5i/e credence to those #ho can sho#
that they ha/e kno#led5eG 6.t no# #e are offered the topsy-t.r/y notion that a special /al.e
is to 6e placed on ad3itted i5norance. AndC in concl.sionC I #ish to state that I ha/e #ritten
this article in the interests of Tr.e :istoryC Tr.e TheosophyC and Tr.e 7cc.ltis3.-
- &a,nC $archC 102
----------------
[*]
AN APPEAL
In the early nineties of last cent.ryC i.e.C soon after the death of $3e. Bla/atskyC there
occ.rred a /ery definite slackenin5 of ener5y in the Theosophical SocietyC and a 5ro#in5
/a5.eness of ai3. The forces that had 6een la6orio.sly concentrated and directed into
definite channelsC fro3 this ti3e on#ard 6e5an to 6eco3e diff.sedC dispersedC andC #ith a
declinin5 spirit.al ener5yC lost the3sel/es in a #elter of /a5.eC e3otional pse.do-
philanthropic acti/ities. In other #ordsC the 3e36ers of the Society rapidly 6eca3e - and
recei/ed e/ery enco.ra5e3ent to 6eco3e - #hat are no#adays aptly ter3ed -Hplifters-.
There #as still a 5ood deal of ener5y in the SocietyC it still had the 3o3ent.3 of the
ori5inal i3p.lseC 6.t this ener5y 6eca3e less and less spirit.alC and 3ore and 3ore ka3ic. It
#as deflected fro3 its ori5inal far-reachin5 p.rposes and di/erted into the t.r6id channels of
pse.do-philanthropy #ith its ta#dry 6.t e3otionally-satisfyin5 acti/ities. This prepared the
#ay for a /erita6le psychic de6a.ch #hich soon per/aded the #hole SocietyC 3o.ldin5 its
o.tlook 6y 3eans of a ne# and 5ro#in5 literat.re - a sort of hy6rid spirit.alis3 #ith a li6eral
.se of Theosophical ter3s. The deleterio.s effect of this ne# literat.re #as threefold. It #asC
thro.5h #idespread ad/ertisin5 and the .r5ent reco33endation of tra/elin5 lect.rers
Ethe3sel/es trained in the -ne# Theosophy-FC foisted on the 3e36ers of the 5ro#in5 1od5esC
and it th.s at once o6sc.red the Society)s early relia6le literat.reC and inoc.lated the #hole
Society #ith teachin5s in conflict #ithC and s.6/ersi/e ofC the philosophy as ta.5ht 6y $3e.
Bla/atsky and her 4astern Teachers.
+.rtherC 6y its psychic and e3otional appealC it dre# into the 1od5es a for3ida6le
percenta5e of i33at.reC e3otionally .n6alanced people - people #hose direst needs #ere a
constant e3otional and psychic sti3.l.sC and a detailed direction as to #hat they sho.ld
readC think and do. S.ch direction #as ;oyf.lly and copio.sly pro/ided for the3 6y the
Society)s ne# leadersG the psychic titillation #as s.pplied in f.ll 3eas.re and soonC as 3i5ht
ha/e 6een eBpectedC Theosophy 6eca3eC in the eyes of intelli5ent peopleC a s.6;ect for
irre/erent 3erri3ent and a3.sed conte3pt.
So3e of the a6lest scientific and literary 3en of this 5enerationC #hoC fro3 their
decided spirit.al leanin5sC 3i5ht #ell ha/e 6eco3e po#erf.l allies of this ancient philosophyC
ha/e had 6.t passin5 #ords of derision for the de6ased /ersion of it #hich they enco.ntered
in the c.rrent Theosophical literat.re. This is only one of the 3isfort.nes #hich 6efell the
Theosophical 3o/e3ent #hen the Parent Society #as di/erted fro3 its tr.e ai3s.
It 3.st 6e conceded that after the death of $3e. Bla/atskyC the tide of ener5y flo#in5
into the 3o/e3ent #as 6o.nd to slackenC and this for reasons #hich #ill 6e perfectly #ell
.nderstood 6y all st.dents of the la#s of the occ.ltC and need not 6e stated here. It #as
no6ody)s fa.lt that the 5reat dri/in5 force had ceased to flo# #ith its ori5inal i3pet.sI this
#as ine/ita6le. B.t #ho shall 3eas.re the hea/y responsi6ility of those #ho thro.5h
personal a36ition allo#ed the3sel/es to 6eco3e the tools and a5ents thro.5h #ho3 the far-
reachin5 ai3s of the Society #ere fr.strated and its teachin5s de6ased?
It is no easy task at the 6est for the st.dent of Theosophy to #in to an ade<.ate
conception of this profo.ndC a.stere philosophyG 6.t for those .nfort.nate st.dents #ho ha/e
6een i33ersed for years in the st.dy of 3.ch of the later literat.re p.t forth 6y the Parent
SocietyC #ith its 6afflin5 and appallin5 3iBt.re of tr.e and false teachin5C the diffic.lty
6eco3es al3ost insepara6le. The first stron5 i3pressions of the early years of enth.sias3
are /ery stron5 and /ery diffic.lt to eradicate. The 5reatest o6stacle to the 5ro#th and
.nderstandin5 of the Theosophical Doctrines has not 6een the nat.ral scepticis3 of the
h.3an 3ind confronted #ith ne# /al.esC nor e/en the hostility of 3aterialistic scienceG still
less is it the increasin5ly f.tile ecclesiastical opposition. These are all nat.ral o6stacles and
offer only a necessary resistance to the healthy 5ro#th of a 5reat life-f.rtherin5 philosophy.
Hndo.6tedly the 3ost for3ida6le ene3y of Theosophy is to 6e fo.nd #ithin the
3o/e3ent itself - its foes are those of its o#n ho.sehold. Indeed it is Pse.do-Theosophy that
is the arch-ene3y - those e3asc.lated doctrinesC skilf.lly tinct.red and atten.ated to s.it the
taste of pale people. Th.sC instead of ha/in5 to deal #ith honestC healthyC sincere opposition
#e are confronted #ith the /ery diffic.lt and 6afflin5 task of attackin5 and .n3askin5 the tr.e
nat.re and p.rport of doctrines #hich s.perficially look like o.r o#n? Th.s #e find in the
Society today a /ast a3o.nt of 3oral and intellect.al a #eakC 33sic44 e3otionalC sp.rio.s idea
of BrotherhoodC a ta#dry philanthropy and co#ardice hidin5 6ehind a sha3 -Toleration.-
$any Theosophical st.dents #ho ha/e 5ained a reasona6ly intelli5ent 5rasp of the
philosophy and its i3plicationsC and ha/e th.s percei/ed the dreadf.l intellect.al and 3oral
chaosC and the for3ida6le ele3ent of de5radation #hich 6e5an to per/ade the SocietyC
a6andoned itC and either for3ed ne# alliances or re3ained .nattached to any or5aniAation.
The present #riter has ne/er had any hard #ords for those #ho ha/e chosen this
co.rse. There is 3.ch 5ood reasonin5 to s.pport it. B.t yet? - so3e of .s ha/e /ie#ed the
#hole 3atter fro3 a so3e#hat different an5le. We ha/e felt and #ished to ackno#led5e the
deep de6t #e o#e to the Society thro.5h #hichC after allC #e rene#ed o.r contact #ith the
5reat Aryan philosophy. And so #e ha/e la6o.red in the 3idst of 3.ch that #as
disheartenin5 and see3in5ly hopelessC to .phold the ancient Aryan tradition in the Society 6y
$ethods 6oth constr.cti/e and destr.cti/e.
There is an aspect of this <.estion #hich 3any of those #ho ha/e left the Society 3ay
ha/e o/erlooked. So lon5 as there re3ain in the Society so3e #ho steadfastly stand 6y the
no6le ancient tradition and opposeC 6y e/ery 3eans in their po#er the foolish and de5radin5
s.perstitionsC the false and 3isleadin5 doctrines 6ein5 ta.5htC there #ill eBist #ithin the
Society a #itness for the philosophy as ori5inally ta.5htC and a5ainst the intellect.al chaosC
the psychic del.sions and the 3oral t.rpit.de #hich ha/e in/aded it.
It is the reasonin5 of 3any of those #ho ha/e left the Society #ith #hat see3ed to
the3 to 6e the stron5est possi6le ;.stificationC that if all #ho seek to follo# the Ancient
Wisdo3 #o.ld only like#ise lea/e the Society it #o.ld soon disinte5rate and cease to 6e a
3enace to the tr.e doctrine. B.t a5ainst this reasonin5 there are at least t#o serio.s
o6;ections. The first is that all the follo#ers of the Ancient Tradition #ill al3ost certainly not
Efor one reason or anotherF a6andon the Society. This sort of reasonin5 is a co33on 3istake
of 3any Socialistic and Htopian idealists - they post.late a condition #hich #hile
EtheoreticallyF perfectly feasi6leC in act.al h.3an eBperience ne/er is f.lfilled. The Society #ill
al3ost certainly contin.e to hold #ithin its 3e36ership 6oth the #ise and the i33at.reC 6oth
the honest and the insincereC 6oth the resol.te and the /acillatin5C 6oth the self-reliant and the
con5enitally ser/ileC and #e 3ay confidently 5o/ern o.r actions accordin5ly.
The second defect of the reasonin5 ;.st all.ded to is that e/en in the Ei3possi6leF
e/ent of all the #isest and stron5est 3e36ers <.ittin5 the SocietyC there is a6sol.tely no #ell-
5ro.nded reason to 6elie/e it #o.ld <.ickly and peacef.lly pass o.t of eBistence? Why
sho.ld #e for a 3o3ent s.ppose it #o.ld disinte5rate? Do not the 3ost prepostero.s of
c.lts often eBist for lon5 periods of ti3e? It has the 3o3ent.3 of its ori5inal i3p.lseC and
a6o/e allC the presti5e of the na3es and po#er of its ori5inal +o.nders to eBploit. And it
#o.ld still possess the sa3e reso.rces of psychic del.sion #ith its ne/er-failin5 appeal to a
cred.lo.s p.6lic.
@oC I a3 afraid it is a /ain hope that 6y a6andonin5 the Theosophical Society #e can
destroy the .n#holeso3e and deleterio.s side of its #idespread infl.ence. 1et .s 3ake .p
o.r 3indsC that for years to co3eC a hi5h percenta5e of all the people in the #orld #ho hear of
TheosophyC #ill hear of it thro.5h the acti/ities of the Parent Society.
If 3y #ords co.ld reach those #ho for sincere and tr.e-hearted reasons ha/e left the
SocietyC I sho.ld .r5e .pon the3 to caref.lly consider the a6o/e 6rief reasonin5C and follo#
.p its f.rther i3plications and de/elop3ents. And if it then see3s /alid to the3C to re;oin the
Society and enter #ith .s .pon an intelli5entC resol.te and concerted effort to 3ake it a5ain a
po#erf.l factor in the a5e-lon5 strife for the li6eration of the h.3an 3ind fro3 theolo5icalC
scientificC racial and national pre;.dices and s.perstitions. And .pon those #ho ha/e
re3ained #ithin the Society I #o.ld .r5e #ith e<.al earnestnessI - 1et .s ha/e done #ith
those tri/ial or a6s.rd 5atherin5s #e di5nify #ith the na3e of 1od5e 3eetin5s. We ha/eC
each indi/id.al one of .sC to 3aster the fe# 6.t profo.nd principles and essentials of the
3i5hty Aryan Philosophy. We ha/e to learn to .nderstandC and that in a 3ore than s.perficial
senseC the str.ct.re of 3an)s co3pleB 6ein5. We ha/e to learn to dare to in/oke the lon5-
sl.36erin5 di/ine po#ers at the core of o.r 6ein5 so that the distortedC #arpedC fretf.l
a6orti/e 3oonstr.ck little 3i3e #e ha/e for so lon5 i3a5ined o.rsel/es to 6eC #ill
3ysterio.sly ass.3e no6ler proportions and a ne# li5ht co3e into his eyes #ith the ne#
sense of the part he has to play on this terrene sta5e.
7 3y 6rother of the darkened .nderstandin5C there is that at the centre of yo.r 6ein5
and 3ine #hichC if #e #ill dare to in/okeC #ill #ork asto.ndin5 transfor3ations in o.r li/es. It
#as those transfor3ations #hich #e #ere eBpected to acco3plishG it #as this for #hich alone
Theosophy #as 5i/en .s - this and no other thin5? WhyC thenC sho.ld #e #aste the passin5
days #ith the rare opport.nity they offer in a preocc.pation #ith triflesC irrele/ancies and
a6s.rdities? Why sho.ld the in/ol.ntary fl.sh ha/e to 3o.nt to o.r cheek #hen so3e
intelli5ent and too-candid 6rother refers ironically to o.r -#eakly 1od5e $eetin5s?- Shall #e
not see to it that those 3eetin5s shall partake of the di5nityC the /italityC the a6sor6in5 interest
#hich an intelli5ent st.dy of the Aryan Wisdo3 confers?
1et .s 6e content #ith nothin5 less than to 3ake o.r 1od5es centres of intellect.al and
spirit.al /itality - each in its o#n city or co33.nity. This ai3 sho.ld certainly precede any
efforts at propa5anda at a ti3eC like the presentC and in /ie# of the eBistin5 chaoticC
de/italiAed state of the Society. 1et .s ask o.rsel/es #hat #e ha/e to offer intelli5ent
prospecti/e 3e36ers at o.r 1od5e 3eetin5s. Is there a reasona6le percenta5e of o.r
3e36ers #ho ha/e attained to an ade<.ate .nderstandin5 of the Theosophical PhilosophyC
so that they can ;.stify the lar5e clai3s #e 3ake for it on the face of intelli5ent criticis3? If
#e cannot 3eet this re<.ire3entC let .s set earnestly a6o.t 6eco3in5 a6le to do soC and in
the 3eanti3e set aside o.r 3is5.ided e3otional desire for propa5anda. 1od5es #hose
3e36ers ha/e fed for years on -Theosophical- slop are #holly .nfitted to en5a5e in any
propa5anda #hich #ill not f.rther in;.re the Society and thro.5h it the Theosophical
$o/e3ent.
S.rely o.r first and hi5hest d.ty is to fit o.rsel/es indi/id.ally and as 1od5es to present
to the intelli5ent and spirit.ally-3inded portion of the race a hi5hC a.stere philosophy - the
no6lest yet achie/ed 6y the no6lest 3ind of 3an - a philosophy #hich #ill ne/er satisfy the
i5no6le cra/in5 of o.r p.rely terrestrial nat.re for a sense of cheap co3fort and sec.rityC 6.t
#hich #ill call forth fro3 the o6sc.re and .neBplored depths of 3an)s nat.re .ns.spected
po#ers of co.ra5e and end.rance and a resol.te #ill to e/oke and 6rin5 .nder his conscio.s
control the latent forces of his o#n 3ysterio.s 6ein5. In a #ordC this philosophy ade<.ately
presentedC #ill dra# to5ether 6y its o#n secret po#er the no6lestC the stron5estC the 3ost
di/ersely 5ifted 3e36ers of the race into a tr.e spirit.al Brotherhood #hich #ill oppose to the
disinte5ratin5 infl.ences of o.r ci/iliAation a positi/e resistanceC and keep ali/e a philosophy
and a traditionC hi5her and holier than #hich is not kno#n on earth?
Do #e feel e<.al to this task? Are #e #illin5 to at least atte3pt it? If notC let .s
honestly ad3it itC and fall to the rear and take o.r place a3on5 the non-co36atants. We shall
at least 6e entitled to the satisfaction of kno#in5 that #e ref.sed to ha3per and i3pede those
#ho #ere #illin5 to take their place in the firin5 line. This #ere no dis5raceC 6.t an
hono.ra6le ackno#led53ent of defeat #hich #ill 6rin5 .s the kar3a of a ne# opport.nity in
the f.t.re.
B.t if #e shrink fro3 the task #ith its need for hi5h co.ra5e and end.ranceC and seek
to co/er o.r #eakness .nder a pretence of a hi5h 6.t /a5.e idealis3 - an idealis3 #hich #e
are secretly resol/ed shall ne/er 6e allo#ed to serio.sly interfere #ith o.r co3fort or o.r
/anity - then #oe #ill follo# .sC and the kar3a of o.r 6aseness #ill dra# .s do#n#ard deeper
into the sphere of 3atter.
The task 6efore the 3e36ers of the Society today #hen clearly realiAedC 3i5ht #ell
appall all 6.t the 3ost resol.te. The e/ilC the follyC the desecration of o.r no6le philosophy
constit.te a fo.l stain on the history of the 3o/e3ent - a stain #hich 3.st ine/ita6ly 6e
eBpiated. It is .selessC as so3e foolish ones ha/e tho.5htC to try to el.de o.r share of the
eBpiation 6y holdin5 aloof fro3 the Society. The Society has 6een and isC for 5ood or illC an
inte5ral part of the 3odern Theosophical $o/e3entC and none #ho seeks a place in that
$o/e3ent 3ay escape his share of the sha3eC the disco.ra5e3entC the defeatC any 3ore
than he #ill 6e denied participation in its 5lory and its /ictories.
The 3odern Theosophical $o/e3ent is a .nityC and has dark as #ell as 6ri5ht pa5es in
its fifty-fi/e years) history. It 3akes one asha3ed of h.3an nat.re #hen one occasionally
3eets intelli5ent people so 5rossly .nspiritnal as to #ish to Eand think they canF keep their
rai3ent .ns.llied in this the latest attack on the forces of Darkness and S.perstition.
4/ery st.dent of say 22 years) standin5 sho.ld 6e a6le to for3 so3e ideaC ho#e/er
inade<.ateC of the indi/id.al responsi6ility .ndertaken 6y the real sponsors of the 10th
cent.ry effort for the spirit.al enli5hten3ent of the West. It is inconcei/a6le that they did not
kno# and reckon #ith the possi6ilities of tra5edy and fail.re as #ell as those of h.3an
enli5hten3ent. Shall #eC thenC #ith o.r littleC nice personal calc.lations plan to escape fro3
the 5ri3e and 3ire and s#eat of the fi5ht - in other #ordsC its o6lo<.y and fail.res - and
participate only in its 3ore -respecta6le- and see3ly little sc.ffles? 7ne thinks in this
connection of the si3ple and no6le #ords of the $asterI
-It is a tr.e 3anhood #hen one 6oldly accepts one)s share of the collecti/e kar3a of
the 5ro.p one #orks #ithC and does not per3it oneself to 6e e36itteredC and to see others in
6lacker colo.rs than realityC or to thro# all 6la3e .pon so3e one 6lack sheepC a /icti3
specially selected. S.ch a tr.e 3an as that #e #ill e/er protect and despite his
shortco3in5sC assist to de/elop the 5ood 6e has in hi3. S.ch a one is s.6li3ely .nselfishG
he sinks his personality in his ca.seC and takes no heed of disco3forts or personal o6lo<.y
.n;.stly fastened .pon hi3C-
B.t I #o.ld not ha/e it tho.5ht that I criticiAe or in any #ay conde3n those #ho ha/e
left the Society 6eca.se they honestly 6elie/ed that they co.ld ser/e the 3o/e3ent 3ore
effecti/ely in other #ays. Their)s #as an i3portant indi/id.al decisionC andC seein5 as they
didC they co.ld hardly ha/e done other#ise. @or #o.ld I conde3n those #ho #ithdre# in
hopeless disco.ra5e3ent. $any a tr.e-hearted st.dent has fo.nd hi3self in a 3inority of
one in a 1od5e #holly 5i/en o/er to psychic del.sion and personality-#orship.
To s.ch I #o.ld only s.55est that they 3i5ht caref.lly reconsider their decision in /ie#
of a ne# effort to 6rin5 the Society 6ack to its ori5inal lines. 4/ery st.dent #ho has
s.cceeded in 5ainin5 an ade<.ate conception of the real p.rpose of the $o/e3ent co.ld help
in the forth-co3in5 str.55le.
In different parts of the #orld the task has 6een serio.sly entered .pon. In A3sterda3
there is a centre #hich is stri/in5 to free Theosophy fro3 the 3ias3a #hich has all 6.t
s.ffocated it in that co.ntryG in B.dapest there is a s3all 6.t /ery intelli5ent and resol.te
5ro.p translatin5 and p.6lishin5 the Secret Doctrine in the :.n5arian lan5.a5eG in 1ondonC a
5ro.p of 1od5es ha/e .nited #ithin the Society to protest a5ainst the follies and del.sions
#hich are rife in the 4n5lish SectionG then there is $r. >in5sland)s earnestC di5nifiedC
.ne3otional appeal for .nity in essentials thro.5ho.t the #hole $o/e3entG an appealC 6e it
notedC .tterly .ntainted #ith the distressin5 itch for personal leadership - a taint so likely to
handicap all endea/o.rs for .nity of ai3 and doctrine.
And #hat of !anada? The record of the !anadian Section for the 12 years of its
eBistence stands hi5h 6y co3parison #ith that of other Sections in the Society. B.tC alas? this
is not sayin5 a 5reat deal. !anada sho.ld he a6le to 6rin5 to the $o/e3ent a positi/e as #ell
as a ne5ati/e 5ift. B.t this is a 3atter I shall disc.ss 3ore f.lly in a f.t.re article.
- W3. !. !larkC *anco./er
- Canadian TheosophistC Sept. 1%C 102
------------------------
[+]
An Ans,e' to -'s. /es#nt
By T. :. $artyn
Hnder date $arch "thC 1022C $rs. Besant #rote a circ.lar letterC addressed to all
3e36ers of the Theosophical Society. As references are 3ade in places to 3yselfC I take this
opport.nityC at the in/itation of the 4ditor of &a,nC to partially reply to it. It is to 6e re5retted
that the PresidentC at the o.tsetC 3isrepresents the attit.de of 3any T.S. 3e36ers in re5ard
to the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchG she 3akes it appear that opposition is pro3pted 6y dislike -
e/en hatred - of this !h.rchC #hereasC in 3y eBperienceC the opposition has 6een to the
3anner in #hich the !h.rch has 6een forced on to the T.S.C allied and conf.sed #ith the T.S.C
and associated in the p.6lic 3ind #ith the T.S. It has 6een <.oted a5ainst $rs. Besant that
she herself has 3ade reference to it as a -Theosophical !h.rch.-
I #ill pass o/er the attack on Dr. StokesC of Washin5ton . :e #ill 6e <.ite a6le to take
care of hi3self. At one ti3e I tho.5ht his criticis3s in The ."5" Library Critic rather eBtre3e.
In /ie# of 3ore kno#led5eC I can see he has doneC and is doin5C eBcellent #ork in fearlessly
placin5 facts 6efore T.S. 3e36ersC #hich they sho.ld kno#C and #hich the officials of the T.S.
see3 /ery anBio.s to hide fro3 /ie# for reasons I ha/e no sy3pathy #ith. I say this in spite
of the fact that I re5ret the p.6lication 6y Dr. Stokes of 3y -Pri/ate and !onfidential- letter to
$rs. BesantC dated $ay 22thC 1021. $y ca6led protestC sent as soon as I heard thro.5h a
pri/ate so.rce that the p.6lication of the letter #as conte3platedC reached Washin5ton after
the letter had 6een printed and distri6.ted. :ad Dr. Stokes recei/ed it in ti3eC he #o.ldC I a3
s.reC ha/e held the letter 6ackC in spite of the fact that he re5arded it as of /ital i3portance to
the ca.se he #as cha3pionin5 - that of p.rity in the T.S. and cando.r.
This 6rin5s 3e to the letter itself and its contents. This letter #as #ritten to $rs.
Besant 6y 3yselfC #hen I tho.5ht she co.ld help 3e sol/e #hat had 6eco3e a hopeless
p.AAle. I recei/ed an ackno#led53entC 6.t no replyC to 3y diffic.lty. 1et 3e say here and
no# that 3y ans#er to these perpleBities has co3e as the o.tco3e of s.6se<.ent e/entsC
and isC to a 5reat eBtentC d.e to the p.6licity 5i/en to the letter itself.
$y pro6le3 isG I thinkC fairly set o.t in the letterC and can 6e s.33ariAed th.sI
In 7cto6erC 1010C as I #as lea/in5 1ondon to ret.rn to SydneyC $rs. Besant sent for
3eC and asked 3e to take a 3essa5e fro3 her to $r. =inara;adasa. She told 3e that the
.s.al 3ethods of co33.nication #ere closed to herC and #o.ld in/ol/e her in the possi6le
conse<.ences of co3po.ndin5 a felony.
The 3essa5e itself #asC that $r. =inara;adasaC then in SydneyC #as to tell $r.
Wed5#ood that he 3.st resi5n fro3 the T.S. and 4.S.T. IncidentallyC $rs. Besant told 3eI
E1F That she had to take this action 6eca.se of 5ross i33oralityC not s.spected 3erelyC
6.t confir3ed.
E2F That in a pre/io.s talk to an 4.S. 3eetin5 on the s.6;ect of -Black $a5ic and SeB
Per/ersionC- she referred to this partic.lar case.
EF That $r. Wed5#ood #as not an initiate.
The letter 5oes on to eBplain the effect of 3y 3essa5e on $r. =inara;adasa. :e did not
6other a6o.t the i33oralityC 6.t fastened on the state3ent that $r. Wed5#ood #as not an
initiate. :e pro3ptly 5ot to #ork thro.5h the ca6le officeC and sent this 3essa5e to 3eet $rs.
Besant on her ret.rn to IndiaI
-SydneyC Dece36er 1(C 1010C to BesantC Adyar. $artyn reports yo. said Wed5#ood
not initiate. 1ead6eater asserts yo. #ere present at initiation. A3 3ost anBio.s 3e36ers
sake there sho.ld 6e no f.nda3ental di/er5ence 6et#een yo. and hi3 on s.ch i3portant
occ.lt 3atter since at sa3e ti3e . . . and ... took second ... and ... first. Do yo. 3ean that
since yo. ha/e no recollection yo. cannot assert Wed5#ood initiateC 6.t do not #ish to 6e
<.oted as sayin5 that he is positi/ely .ninitiated.-
$rs. Besant replied on Dece36er 22ndC 1010I - -Brother)s state3ent eno.5hC accept
factC cancel 3essa5e sent.-
$rs. Besant thereafter ne/er asked 3e #hat 3essa5e I had deli/eredC 6.t forth#ithC in
letters to $r. 1ead6eater in SydneyC and co33.nications to the 4.S.T.C co33ented on #hat
she ass.3ed to 6e 3y 3essa5e. She referred to it as 5rossly eBa55eratedC etc. I do not
kno# to this day #hat $r. =inara;adasa represented to her as 3y 3essa5eC 6.t I #as certainly
s.rprised that anyone in $rs. Besant)s position sho.ld 3ake reflections on the 3essen5erC
#ho o6li5ed her in a diffic.ltyC ,ithout referring to him for his ersion of the facts. ThatC
ho#e/erC 6y the #ay.
When $rs. Besant told 3e that $r. Wed5#ood #as not an initiateC I had no idea that
she did not kno# that $r. 1ead6eater hadC in 101(C declared that he #as. :ad I kno#n thatC I
think I sho.ld ha/e told her so. I #as si3ple eno.5h at that ti3e to s.ppose that she #as
con/ersant #ith all s.ch -occ.lt- 3atters. In one of her letters I ha/e seen a state3ent 6y
$rs. BesantC that I asked her if $r. Wed5#ood #as an initiate. In this detail the President)s
3e3ory is at fa.lt. I 3ost certainly did not ask her. :er state3ent on the s.6;ect arose fro3
her eBpressin5 re5ret that $r. 1ead6eater - #ho3 she descri6ed as a hi5h initiate - sho.ld
occ.py an inferior position in the !h.rch to $r. Wed5#oodC #ho #as not an initiate.
This little 3is.nderstandin5 6et#een $rs. Besant and $r. 1ead6eater #ill no do.6t
see3 .ni3portant to so3e of 3y readersC 6.t to 3e it #as /ital. As eBplained in 3y letter to
$rs. Besant .nder re/ie#C I co.ld ne/er 6e satisfied to accept $r. 1ead6eater)s .ns.pported
state3ents on s.6;ects that I co.ld not check. While $rs. BesantC as an occ.ltistC confir3ed
the3 #ell and 5ood. I #as 5reatly disill.sioned to find this -f.nda3ental di/er5enceC- as $r.
=inara;adasa neatly descri6ed itC 6et#een the t#o -occ.ltistsC- and had to concl.de - for
reasons stated in 3y letter - that $rs. Besant #as herself dependin5 .pon $r. 1ead6eater for
her 3essa5es fro3 the inner planesC and #as satisfied to accept anythin5 he reported #itho.t
<.estion.
Why I co.ld not 3yself do this - partly 6eca.se of an acc.3.lation of disa5reea6le
incidents re5ardin5 $r. 1ead6eaterC #hich had co3e to 3y kno#led5e - is set o.t in the letter.
To ret.rn no# to $rs. Besant)s circ.larC she 3akes the follo#in5 state3entI
-The p.6lished letter of $r. $artyn contains a n.36er of infa3o.s acc.sationsC none
of #hich I 6elie/eC a5ainst a n.36er of persons #ho3 I kno# to 6e incapa6le of the cond.ct
char5ed. I do not disc.ss the3G no decent person #o.ld 3ention the3 eBcept in a co.rt of
;.sticeC or in preparation for le5al actionC or possi6ly if in need of helpC and if the circ.lators of
this filth ha/e any ;.stification for 3akin5 s.ch acc.sationsC they sho.ld at once place their
infor3ation in the hands of the police.-
$rs. Besant i5nores the fact that she herself 3ade the -infa3o.s acc.sationsC- as they
related to $r. Wed5#oodG 6.t passin5 o/er that lapse on her partC I 3ay eBplain thatC in 3y
o#n letter to $rs. BesantC I tell her that I called on a certain lady in 1ondon a #eek 6efore she
herself sent for 3eC and that this lady told 3e the police #ere threatenin5 proceedin5s a5ainst
t#o 1.!.!. 6ishops E$r. Wed5#ood #as oneF and so3e priests. That she had 5ot one of the
latterC #hose e/idence #as 3ost fearedC o.t of the co.ntryC etc.C etc. I s.ppose these are the
infa3o.s acc.sations that the President refers to. 7f co.rseC I did not 3ake the3G I 3erely
infor3ed $rs. Besant of #hat the lady in 1ondon told 3e. It #ill 6e noted that $rs. Besant
6oldly states that she kno#s the persons na3ed to 6e incapa6le of the cond.ct char5ed.
:ereC .nhappilyC $rs. Besant is a5ain in tro.6leC for on +e6r.ary 2,th of this yearC ;.st fo.r
days 6efore the date on her circ.lar letterC one of the priests na3ed 3ade a #ritten
confessionC a certified copy of #hich is no# in 3y possession. In this confession he statesI
-The i3p.tation a5ainst 3yselfC as #ell as a5ainst Wed5#oodC and in $r. $artyn)s
letterC is 6.t too tr.e.-
As one res.lt of this confessionC $r. Wed5#ood has resi5ned fro3 the 1.!.!. and the
T.S. So do#n t.36les this ho.se of cards to the .tter conf.sion of the -occ.ltistsC- #ho /o.ch
for a seB-per/ert as an initiateC and the chosen a5ent of the 9reat 1od5eC to act as their
channel for passin5 the Di/ine 9race of the Apostolic S.ccession and a ne# priest syste3 on
to the Theosophical Society.
I said a6o/e that I no# ha/e 3y ans#er. I ha/e. It is not necessary for 3e to ha/e to
ass.3e that the 9reat 1od5e re<.ires the help of sens.alists of a specially de5raded kind to
do their #ork. I can accept #hat appears to 6e the President)s only alternati/eC i.e.C that $r.
1ead6eater is a del.ded seerC if he 6e a seer at allC and that no attention need 6eC or sho.ld
6eC 5i/en to his state3ents a6o.t the spirit.al pro5ress of A or B or !. I ha/e to confess I find
it hard to 6elie/e that he kno#s #ho areC and #ho are notC initiates in the tr.e sense. :e 3ay
or 3ay not 6e clair/oyantI he certainly is .ntr.thf.lC and he is no real friend to the
Theosophical SocietyC as those #ho ha/e read his co33ents in the 5"#"T" Bulletin for the
c.rrent 3onth E$ayFC and kno# the facts on #hich he co33entsC #ill see.
Another factor in con/incin5 3e of the #ron5ness of thin5s as they areC is the
persistent 3anner in #hich the -7fficials- deny factsC 3isrepresent and distort tr.thsC and
stoop to all sorts of <.estiona6le actions to 6olster .p their self-3ade clai3s to spirit.al hi5h
places.
To 3eC they see3 to constit.te the3sel/es as a sort of occ.lt professionC and to 3ake
clai3s #hich #ill not 6ear in/esti5ation.
$rs. Besant concl.des 6y tellin5 3e36ers of the 4.S.T. that they cannot 6elon5 6oth to
the T.S. 1oyalty 1ea5.e and the 4.S.T. I ha/e 6een asked 6y 3any of 3y old friends in the
4.S.T. #hat I think they o.5ht to do. +or 3yselfC I choose the T.S. 1oyalty 1ea5.e. I 6elie/e it
is doin5 the $asters) #orkC and helpin5 to 3ake crooked places strai5ht. The T.S. cannot 5o
on if it is to 6eco3e a 3oral cesspit - a hidin5 place - #here the 3orally .nfit and .nclean are
protectedC any 3ore than it can if it is to 6e in/aded 6y all sorts of fancy sects. The T.S.
1oyalty 1ea5.e has already effected a .sef.l sprin5 cleanin5C and posterity sho.ld 6e thankf.l
to it. !ertainly it is 6.t a te3porary phaseC andC its #ork doneC it #ill pass o.tC #hile the 4.S.T.
appears to 6e a per3anent instit.tion. Act.allyC ho#e/erC it hasC in the opinion of 3anyC
already done its #ork. @o tr.thf.l 3e36er co.ld no# descri6e it as an 7cc.lt School. As
s.chC it is effete. 7n the other handC there is 3ore than a s.spicion that it is 6ein5 .sed for
the political p.rposes of those #ho control it. :as the ti3e not co3e #hen #e need to 3ake
a fresh start in pro/idin5 for the needs of those #ho ai3 at self-.nfold3ent. I pray that the
9ods 3ay send .s a 6rand ne# 7cc.lt School - one #here there is p.rityC 3ental freedo3C
and no need for hidin5 thin5sC or for ca3o.fla5e and 3ystery. If the 4.S.T. does not #ant .sC
let .s start afreshC #here #e can li/e in the p.re air of tr.thC and 5et a#ay fro3 this .nhealthy
strain of 6elie/in5 in 3ake-6elie/e. After allC there is no reli5ionC no occ.ltis3C no -leader-
hi5her than TRHT:C and Tr.th is ne/er tainted 6y the eBercise of reason and co33on sense.
In concl.sionC I do not for5et the i3passioned clai3 #ith #hich $rs. Besant concl.des
her article in The Theosophist( $archC 1022C on -Who3 Will 8e Ser/e?- :er #ords are
thrillin5C e/en if they sa/o.r of ner/o.s o/erstrainI
-To those #ho kno# anythin5 of 7cc.ltis3C I say I stand as the ser/ant of the
:ierarchyC o6eyin5 Their Will and doin5 Their #ork as :.P.B. 6ade 3e declare. 4ither I a3
Their A5entC or I a3 a liar and a 6lasphe3er. Take 3e as yo. #ill.-
There are t#o #ays of readin5 these #ords. 7ne i3plies that $rs. Besant is the
A5ent. If that is soC #hy pass on the a5ency to $r. 1ead6eater? The other #ay of readin5 it
isC that the sa3e is tr.e of not only $rs. BesantC 6.t of e/ery si3ple so.l seekin5 to do the
#ork of the 4lder Brothers in any depart3ent of h.3an ser/ice. In that #ay IC for oneC elect to
read it.
- T. :. $artyn
- +ro3 -Da#nC- $ayC 1022
-----------------------
[0]
/ASIC P&INCIPLES OF THEOSOPHY
- Boris de &irkoff
The keynote of the doctrines o.tlined 6y the 4soteric Philosophy is their .ni/ersality.
They apply e<.ally #ell in the 5reat as in the s3allC in the 3icrocos3ic as in the
3acrocos3ic. @ot 6ein5 6ased on any6ody)s opinions or credal 6eliefsC they are rooted in the
facts of nat.reC facts #hich can 6e o6ser/ed and st.diedC and #hich canC 6y 3eans of
analo5iesC 6e referred to other facts 6eyond o.r present direct eBperi3ental co5nition.
The 6asic doctrines of Theosophy are .ni/ersally present thro.5ho.t the len5th and
6readth of the h.3an race. They ha/e 3irrored the3sel/es in all a5es and ci/iliAations in the
tho.5ht of 3ankindC and ha/e left .ndenia6le traces e/ery#here in 6oth 3yths and le5endsC
as #ell as in 3ore direct instr.ctions and teachin5s of philosophers and thinkers.
A caref.l st.dy of h.3an tho.5ht thro.5ho.t the a5esC as far as this is possi6le in the
often 6roken fra53ents #hich ha/e co3e do#n to .sC sho#s that a .ni/ersal doctrine has
eBisted fro3 ti3e i33e3orialC a doctrine a/aila6le to those #ho #ere #illin5 to a6ide 6y
certain conditions re<.ired for the ac<.ire3ent of that doctrine. +ro3 one end of the earth to
the otherC the 6asic principles of that doctrine ha/e 6een the sa3eC and its precepts of
cond.ct identicalC e/en tho.5h eBpressed in so 3any different lan5.a5esG or fra3ed in
differin5 sy36olis3 and alle5ory.
The nat.re of that doctrine and its 6asic post.lates ha/e 6een clearly o.tlined 6y :. P.
Bla/atsky in The #ecret &octrine. 7pen *ol.3e I at pa5e 1" and read the teBt thro.5h pa5e
22G then open the sa3e *ol.3e at pa5e 2(2 and read practically to the end of that Section
on pa5e 200 Epa5es (0-,% and 1'-0 in Book I of the c.rrent Adyar editionF. In these
pa5es are presented the 6ases of the .ni/ersal #isdo3 #hich r.ns like a 5olden thread
thro.5h all 5en.ine for3s and 3odifications of the 4soteric Philosophy. These pa5es 3ay
ser/e as a to.chstone of all other teachin5s or distortion of teachin5s #hich arise fro3 ti3e to
ti3e in /ario.s parts of the #orldC to conf.se and 6e#ilder the st.dent. :.P.B.)s 3asterly
presentation contains a clear and specific denial and re;ection of /ario.s s.6sidiary ideas and
theories that ha/e 6eco3e c.rrent in the 3odern Theosophical $o/e3ent as the years
passed. A correct .nderstandin5 of these 6asic propositions #o.ld 3ake it e/ident to any
caref.l thinker that so3e of the c.rrent literat.reC s.pposedly containin5 Theosophical ideasC
deals #ith psycho-3ental phantasies totally .ns.pported 6yC and often dia3etrically opposed
toC the f.nda3ental principles of the Wisdo3-Reli5ion as o.tlined in the passa5es 3entioned
a6o/e. These phantasies cannot 6e har3onio.sly 6lended #ith the 5en.ine doctrines of the
4soteric Philosophy and therefore 3.st 6e considered false.
- +ro3 Theosophia J1"(C S.33er 10('
--------------------
[1]
ANNIE /ESANT
By =.$. Prentice
It is ;.st o/er fifty yearsC 6y a 3atter of a fe# #eeksC since I 3et Annie BesantC for the
first ti3e in this incarnation. The I3pact is as clear today as then. She re3ainsC in 3ind and
in i3a5inationC the 5reatest fe3inine personality I ha/e e/er 3et. After 3akin5 the f.llest
allo#ance for the tra5ic deficiencies in her h.3an 3ake.p she is still 5reat.
$rs. Besant had 3ade one pre/io.s /isit to A.straliaC in 1,0". The =.d5e crisis #as
loo3in5 and she arri/ed #ith plenipotentiary po#ers fro3 President 7lcottC to fo.nd a ne#
SectionC in order to pro/ide additional stren5th for the anti-=.d5e party. The A.stralian
Theosophists #ere already split into opposin5 factionsC 6.t her 3a5nificent oratory and her
s.per6 5eni.s for or5aniAation left the =.d5eites a shattered re3nant. The /isit of >atherine
Tin5ley and her !r.sade in 1,0( failed to re3o/e the Besant infl.ence. 7ne c.rio.s thin5
#as that a police3anC present to 3aintain order at one of her lect.resC #as so carried a#ay
6y her elo<.ence that he ;oined the T.S. and re3ained an o6sc.re 6.t faithf.l 3e36er .ntil
his deathC 3any years later.
:er arri/al at the Spencer Street rail#ay station in $el6o.rne #as colorf.lC to say the
least. After s.ccessf.l appearances in Perth and AdelaideC she stepped fro3 the rail#ay
carria5eC #earin5 5ar3ents of the 1,,, period rather than 102,C a disrep.ta6le hat and
elastic sided foot#ear in a 3aterial called prunellaC as her /e5etarian principles for6ade her to
#ear leather. She carried a kin5 of retic.lesC as they #ere then calledC st.ffed #ith 6ank
notes. She has ref.sed to pay the eBchan5e de3anded 6y the 6anksC and 6ro.5ht the
3oney #ith her?
:er sta5e appearance at this ti3e #as <.ite eBtraordinary. She #as #ithin days of her
siBtieth 6irthday. :er yo.thf.l 6ea.ty had 6een 3irac.lo.sly preser/ed. 7n the platfor3 she
#ore s#eepin5 cost.3es of hea/y #hite silkC appli<.ed #ith #hat #as then kno#n as -Point
1ace-C all hand #orked. :er short hair #as a froth and a foa3 of sno# #hite c.rlsC a stran5e
contrast to her yo.thf.l co3pleBion. :er oratory #as spell6indin5. She had so3e 5est.resC
6.t not 3anyG s.ch as the tossin5 aside of a handf.l of notesC in order to create an air of
spontaneityG the prod.ction of a letterC said to ha/e reached her that dayC #hich ser/ed as a
pe5 on #hich to drape an ela6orate addressC as tho.5h e6 tempore. Across the years that
5olden /oiceC that eB<.isite .se of o.r 4n5lish ton5.eC that perfection in the choice of #ordsC
still echoes.
Before contin.in5C let 3e say that to .nderstand $rs. Besant it is necessary to
reco5niAe t#o thin5sI oneC that she #as so .tterly deficient in a sense of h.3or that it is
do.6tf.l if she e/er la.5hed heartily in her lon5 lifeC so that any criticis3C any correction of the
partic.lar ca.se #hich she #as espo.sin5 #as instantly constr.ed as a personal attack on
herselfC and 6ro.5ht do#n on the critic the f.ll 3eas.re of her #rath. This had already 6een
co33ented .pon 6y one of her Sec.larist friends in 1,,,. The sli5htest s.55estion of
opposition to /ie#s eBpressed 6y her 6eca3e a personal attack on her kno#led5eC her
/eracityC her to#erin5 a6ility. I #as destined to eBperience the f.ll 6itterness of thisC a little
later on. I recall that in 1012 I e/oked th.ndero.s appla.se #hen I told a cro#ded
!on/entionI -I #ill follo# $rs. Besant as lon5 as reason and lo5ic s.pport her contentionsG
#hen lo5ic and reason fail 3e I #ill follo# 6lindlyC s.ppressin5 3y o#n inclinations in the li5ht
of her 5reaterC 3ore occ.lt kno#led5e?- Within fi/e years I #as co3pelled to eat these #ordsC
#hen lo5ic and reason forced 3e into an opposition #hich re3ained #ith 3e thro.5h the
years and darkened 3y Theosophical life in this incarnation.
The other thin5 to 6e re3e36ered is that ne/er once in her lon5 career did Annie
Besant e/er think one ori5inal tho.5ht. She #as the s.per6 e36odi3ent of a person #ho
co.ld take other 3en)s ideas and present the3 far 3ore 6rilliantlyC #ith 5reater entice3entC
than the ori5inators. And al#aysC in the shado#y 6ack5ro.ndC there had to 6e an inspirer -
.s.ally a 3an - fro3 #ho3 she deri/ed her ideasC her inspiration. :er o#n occ.lt path is still
stre#n #ith the 6odies of those fro3 #ho3 she deri/ed her the3es andC later onC discarded
#hen they no lon5er ser/ed her p.rposeC or opposed ne# ideas #hich she had espo.sed.
And here I thro# o.t a challen5eI it is 3any years since I ha/e opened one of her 3any
/ol.3esC 6.t e/en no# if yo. 3ention a na3e of any one of the3 I #ill instantly tell yo. #ho
#as the inspirer of the ideas #hich it so 6rilliantly presents.
Re/ertin5 to $el6o.rne and 102,I her 3ost 6rilliant efforts #ere restricted to 3eetin5s
of the 4.S. She corrected o.r pron.nciation of Sanscrit pass#ordsG she confir3ed .s in the
faith that she #as the occ.lt 3o.thpiece of the White 1od5e. B.t her o.tstandin5 effort #as
the ni5ht #hen she rose dra3aticallyC ordered .s all to p.t a#ay o.r note6ooks and pencilsC
and told .s that the #ay #as 6ein5 3ade ready for so3e one of 5reater occ.lt stat.re to
replace her as the a5ent of the 1od5eC as the 7.ter :ead of the 4.S. She said that this #o.ld
6e Da3odar $a/alankarC #ho had disappeared into Ti6et 3ore than t#enty years earlier.
EShe had .n/eiled a portrait of hi3 in the Shrine Roo3 at Adyar on White 1ot.s Day of that
sa3e yearC in order that he #o.ld 6e reco5niAed on his ret.rn.F It 3ay 6e that she had 6een
i3pressed 6y a horoscope #hich had 6een p.6lished a6o.t 1,0'C #herein the Astrolo5er
Walter 9orn 7ld E-Sepharial-F had said that she #o.ld die in the siBtieth year of her a5eC that
the 5olden /oice #o.ld sink into silenceC that her lo/ely presence #o.ld disappear in the
s3oke of the f.neral pyre. She #as #ithin days of her siBtieth 6irthday #hen she 3ade this
state3ent.
$any other 3e3ories co3e floodin5 in. I #as recei/ed at a pri/ate a.dience at the
ho3e of her da.5hterC $a6el Besant-ScottC #here she #as stayin5. I #as 5ra/ely concerned
o/er #hat has 6eco3e kno#n as -the 1ead6eater case- and so.5ht her 5.idance. She
eased 3y 3ind and relie/ed 3y anBieties - for the ti3e 6ein5. There #as 3.ch in this
inter/ie# #hich cannot 6e recorded e/en no# #itho.t a 6reach of faith. B.t it #ill 6e recorded
e/ent.ally for st.dents of a later periodC if I s.r/i/e those others directly concerned.
$rs. Besant had chan5ed her attit.de to $r. 1ead6eater .nder c.rio.s circ.3stances.
After the stor3 6roke in 102'C the year I ;oined the T.S.C he had 6een li/in5 <.ietly in the
o6sc.rity of Taor3inaC in Sicily. While on her ;o.rney to 4n5land for her yearly series of
lect.res $rs. Besant left the ship at @aples and #ent to see hi3. This #as her first contact
since her rep.diation of hi3 t#o years earlier. -=.d5e has fallenG 1ead6eater has fallenG
perhaps IC tooC 3ay fall.- had 6een her pitif.l ad3ission in 102'. B.t $r. 1ead6eater
con/inced her that they had taken the initiatory de5ree of Arhat to5etherC that they #ere
indissol.6ly linked in the White BrotherhoodC and 3.st #ork to5ether. If only there had 6een
s.fficient sense of h.3or to la.5h at this s.55estionC of #hich she ad3itted she had no
personal kno#led5eC and #hich she #as foolish eno.5h to take as tr.eC the #hole
s.6se<.ent history of the T.S. #o.ld ha/e 6een different. $r. 1ead6eaterC no# descri6ed 6y
her as 6ein5 -on the threshold of Di/inity-C ret.rned in tri.3ph to AdyarC to initiate the
>rishna3.rti 3ythosC to #rite that 3asterpiece of occ.lt 6lack3ail -ents )n The 0eil of Time.
EIn #hich his friends #ere 5i/en hi5h occ.lt stat.s and his ene3ies - that isC those #ho
ref.sed to accept hi3 as a 5reat occ.ltist - #ere la3pooned or else treated /ery sha66ily. I
kno# 3any people #ho #ere chained to his chariot 6y this re3arka6le recordG one lady told
3e that if she t.rned her 6ack on !.W.1. she risked 5oin5 6ack 3illions of years in her occ.lt
career?F
I #o.ld interpolate here that I 3et $r. 1ead6eater first in 101". There #as a 3.t.al
antipathy. I sa# hi3 a5ain in 102C in the 6itter !on/ention of the A.stralian Section of the
T.S.C #hich split the Sydney 1od5e into t#o sections the follo#in5 yearC #hen $rs. Besant
descended into Sydney and #as se/erely re6.ffed. B.t this is another story. . .
In 1012 the 5eni.s of $r. 1ead6eater - e/il or other#ise - created the >rishna3.rti
le5end. $rs. BesantC #ho had already lost the s.pport of 3any of the old ti3e s.pporters of
the Theosophy of :.P. Bla/atsky #hen she reinstated $r. 1ead6eater in 102,C 5a/e the f.llest
possi6le 3eas.re of her s.pportC and no# alienated the respect of 3any Indian 3e36ers in
partic.lar. They recalled her enth.siastic s.pport of $r. 9.@. !hakra/arti E#ho3 I 3et in
10F 6efore and after the =.d5e episodeC and her s.6se<.ent rep.diation of hi3. They
kne# that her present occ.lt teachin5 #as 6ased on 1ead6eater)s ipse di6itC and in hi3 they
had no confidence. There is no ti3e to rehearse the lon5 and sorro#f.l storyC of hearts that
#ere sickened 6y hopes deferredC of the collapse of an i3posin5 str.ct.reC #hich incl.ded the
3a5nificent A3phitheatre here in SydneyC #hich res.lted in a total loss of fro3 1(2C222 to
1122C222 . . . The real sho#do#n ca3e in 102'C #hen $rs. BesantC .nder the ae5is this ti3e
of $essrs. Wed5#ood and Ar.ndaleC anno.nced that the T#el/e Apostles for the
reincarnatin5 $essiah had 6een selected. In SydneyC $r. 1ead6eater only heard of this #hen
it #as p.6liciAed in The +erald of the #tar 3a5aAine. I ha/e 6een told 6y t#o 3e36ers of his
ento.ra5e at this ti3e that his an5er #as titanic. :e saidI -This is 3adnessG I kno# nothin5
#hate/er of it?- and he #rote a f.rio.s letter to $rs. Besant rep.diatin5 the #hole thin5. :e
recei/ed in reply a ca6le in #hich $rs. Besant told hi3 that if he do.6ted her #ordC that if he
ref.sed to corro6orate #hat she had saidC it #o.ld display s.ch a #ant of confidence in her
that her only co.rse left #o.ld 6e to resi5n the Presidency of the T.S. As his o#n stat.s in the
$o/e3ent #as entirely 6ased on her reha6ilitation in 102, and her s.6se<.ent s.pportC he
had no other option than to confor3 to her lineC and he did soC 6.t #ith far less than his .s.al
enth.sias3. +ro3 then on .ntil her death in 10 $rs. Besant #as 3ore or less a
3o.thpiece for othersG her 3ental po#ers had deteriorated and she #as no lon5er $aster in
her o#n :o.seC altho.5h she re3ained a to#erin5C spectac.lar fi5.re . . . and president of
the T.S.
There is one other pointI I read recently that $rs. Besant #as s.pposed to ha/e
/ol.ntarily reno.nced her occ.lt po#ers of clair/oyance and so on in 101%. I heard nothin5 of
this at the ti3eC as I #as 6.sily en5a5ed in fi5htin5 a #ar s.pposed to 6e the #ar to end A11
#ars. B.t I #as in 1ondon in 101( and called on a friend #ho #as one of $rs. Besant)s
oldest and closest disciples. I fo.nd her in 5reat distress o/er #hat had 6een happenin5G
rather rel.ctantly she prod.ced a letter #ritten a year or so earlier and in $rs. Besant)s
characteristic #ritin5. This lady had 6een ad/ised 6y $rs. Besant that she #as layin5 aside
her spirit.al #ork in order to enter into the h.rley 6.rley of Indian politics. The recipient of this
letter had i33ediately replied sayin5 that she feared this #as a retro5rade stepC and #o.ld it
not 6e 6etter to re3ain the 5reat spirit.al leader? It #as the reply to this that I #as per3itted
to see. There #as one sentence #hich see3ed to 6e in letters of fire. $rs. Besant #roteI
78hile ) ,as engaged in this spiritual ,or!( don't you thin! that ) did it rather ,ell97 She sa#
ne# hei5hts to scale and a ne#C historical position to 6e achie/ed.
$rs. Besant has left al3ost a li6rary of literary prod.ctions. T#o of her earliest 6ooks
stand o.tI )n the .uter Courts and The /ath of &iscipleship. They are 3asterly. As
Theosophical 3an.als they ha/e ne/er 6een s.rpassed. Practically e/erythin5 she prod.ced
after 102, is #orthless Theosophically speakin5C ho#e/er #ell it reads. The last #orth#hile
6ook #as The 8isdom of the 2panishads. This has an a.thenticity not fo.nd thereafter. :er
6ook The /edigree of 'an #as 5i/en a send-off 6y a state3ent in 4S circles that #hile she
#as deli/erin5 the lect.res the $aster $ #as presentin5 a series of 3ental pict.res #hich
.nrolled 6efore her inner /ision. Do.6ts re5ardin5 her interpretation of #hat she sa# arose
#hen it #as fo.nd to differ 3aterially fro3 the o.tline of occ.lt history in The #ecret &octrine.
And at this point this 6rief profile 3.st 6e concl.ded. Across the years I still sal.te
Annie Besant as the 5reatest #o3an I e/er 3et . . . the echo of her 3atchless oratory still
rin5s in 3y ears. Ae atque ale - .ntil #e 3eet a5ain?
- Canadian TheosophistC =an-+e6C 10%0
------------------------
[2]
-'s. /es#nt3s Ven(ett#
By +.A.W.
+or a co.ple of years past the President of the Theosophical Society has lost no
opport.nity of sho#in5 her dislike of the Sydney 1od5e. What offended herC or aro.sed her
anta5onis3 in the first instanceC is not kno#nG 6.t pro6a6ly letters fro3 her -Brother-
1ead6eaterC and the infl.ence of $r. =inara;adasaC #ho 6eca3e /ery annoyed #ith the
Sydney 1od5e #hen he #as in A.stralia in 1022C fanned the pre;.dice.
$rs. Besant arri/ed in Sydney last $ay ;.st in ti3e to read the iss.e of Da#n for that
3onth. Readers #ill re3e36er The 1ead6eater 1ie incident recorded therein. The tr.stees
for the Sydney 1od5e 6.ildin5sC $essrs. 46erle and $artynC areC 6y the po#ers /ested in
the3 6y their Deed of Tr.stC in the position of landlords. The T.S. 1od5e and all other .sers of
the pre3ises are their tenants. The Sydney 1od5e hasC of co.rseC the first callC and at one
ti3e the 4.S.T. #as a s.6-tenantC 6ein5 responsi6le to the 1od5eG 6.t they #ere not /ery
profita6le tenantsC and the 1od5e so3e years a5o passed the3 o/er to the Tr.steesC #ho
hired o.t acco33odation to the3 at a p.rely no3inal rental. When the facts disclosed in The
1ead6eater 1ie article ca3e .nder their noticeC the Tr.stees decided to 3ake a protest in the
interest of e/erythin5 sacred to the first o6;ect of the T.S. It is possi6le thatC as a 3atter of
eti<.etteC they sho.ld ha/e cons.lted the 4Bec.ti/e of the Sydney 1od5eG 6.t they did not.
$eetin5 pro3ptly and entirely on their o#n initiati/eC and #itho.t cons.ltin5 anyoneC they
#rote the follo#in5 letter to $r. 1ead6eater .nder date $ay 1stI
-The !orrespondin5 SecretaryC 4.S.T.C
-+or A.stralia.
-Dear SirC - 8o.r article #hich appears in the $ay iss.e of the -4.S.T. B.lletinC- on the
/otin5 at the recent T.S. !on/entionC in #hichC 6y inferenceC yo. sho# that the 4.S.T. 3akes
@ational and Racial distinctions in 3e36ershipC as #ell as other incidents that ha/e co3e
.nder o.r noticeC con/ince .s that .nder yo.r control the 4.S.T. in A.straliaC as an
or5aniAationC is ini3ical to the first and o6li5atory o6;ect of the Theosophical Society.
-There is certain to 6e friction 6et#een yo.r 4.S.T. and the Sydney 1od5e of the T.S. in
conse<.enceC and after caref.lly considerin5 the 3atter in the 6est interests of the 1od5eC #eC
as its Tr.steesC ha/e to re5ard yo.r 6ody as .ns.ited to 6e tenants of the T.S. 1od5e)s
propertyC and re<.est that yo. #ill 3ake other arran5e3ents for yo.r 3eetin5s. - 8o.rs
faithf.lly.-
This letter #as 3.ch resented 6y a fe# 3e36ers of the Sydney 1od5e 4Bec.ti/eC and
resol.tions #ere 6ro.5ht for#ard dealin5 #ith it. The follo#in5 #as finally passed 6y a
s.6stantial 3a;orityI
-That if satisfactory .ndertakin5s are 5i/en that the 4.S.T. #ill not in f.t.re 6e 3ade
.se of to interfere in any #ay #ith the Theosophical Society and the carryin5 o.t of its ai3sC
this 4Bec.ti/e reco33ends to the Tr.stees that it 6e per3itted to contin.e to 3ake .se of the
T.S. classroo3s. Be it statedC ho#e/erI
-That this 4Bec.ti/e /ie#s #ith concern the atte3pt to stir .p racial pre;.dice a3on5st
T.S. 3e36ers #ho 6elon5 to the 4.S.T. It <.otes the official or5an of the 4.S.T. in A.stralia
.nder date of $ayC 1022C and the re3arks of $r. !.W. 1ead6eaterC its editorC as follo#sI
)At a recent !on/ention of the Theosophical Society here in SydneyC the follo#in5
3otion #as proposed 6y Senator ReidC and seconded 6y $r. T.W. $acroC President of the
Sydney 1od5eI
-After recitin5 the resol.tionC $r. 1ead6eater contin.esI )Dele5ates only #ere allo#ed
to /oteC and the 3otion #as carried 6y ,' to 1%. It is sin5.lar to note that fo.rteen of the
fifteen dissentients #ere Sydney 1od5e 3e36ersC and that no less than se/en of the3 #ere
9er3ans or A.strians.)
-In the opinion of this 4Bec.ti/eC co33ents of this nat.re .nder3ine the #hole
principle of Hni/ersal BrotherhoodC #hich constit.tes the first and 3ost i3portant o6;ect of the
Theosophical SocietyC and creates 6ad feelin5 6et#een its 3e36ers.
-This 4Bec.ti/e f.rther deplores that 5rossly .ntr.e state3ents sho.ld 6e 3ade to an
or5anisation of a secret nat.reC #hose 3e36ership is confined to T.S. 3e36ersC and 3akes
p.6lic the fact that $essrs. +inkerna5el and Ste33lerC the only 9er3an or A.strian 3e36ers
a3on5 the Sydney dele5ates #ho /oted a5ainst the 3otion of confidence in $r. 1ead6eaterC
are old and tried #orkers in the T.S.C and en;oy the f.llest confidence and appro6ation of this
4Bec.ti/e.
-That the fore5oin5 resol.tion 6e for#arded to $rs. BesantC the 7.ter :ead of the
4.S.T.C and President of the Theosophical SocietyC #ith a re<.est that steps 6e taken to a/oid
f.rther pro/ocati/e acts of this kind.-
The 4soteric Section #ere yearly tenantsC so they #ere <.ite sec.re in their tenancy
.ntil the end of 1022G 6.t $rs. Besant ca3e alon5 and chose to dra3atise the sit.ationC so
this fact #as i5noredC after $rs. Besant had first eBa3ined the Deed of Tr.st and satisfied
herself that the Tr.stees #ere actin5 #ithin their ri5hts. @eBt she asked for an opport.nity to
3eet the 4Bec.ti/e of the Sydney 1od5eC and arran5e3ents #ere pro3ptly 3ade for the
e/enin5 of $ondayC $ay 1%th. This 4Bec.ti/e consists of a6o.t t#enty 3e36ers of the
1od5eC and incl.des all the officers. As 6oth Tr.stees hold officeC they are 3e36ers of it.
$rs. Besant introd.ced the 6.rnin5 <.estion of the notice to <.itC and char5ed the 4Bec.ti/e
#ith this actionC #hich she said #as ai3ed at herself. Se/eral of the officers present ass.red
her they kne# nothin5 a6o.t itC and that the 4Bec.ti/e had not 6een cons.lted. $r. $artynC
one of the Tr.steesC told $rs. Besant pointedly that the Tr.stees #ere alone responsi6leG that
the 3oti/e of the Tr.stees in sendin5 the letter to dra# fro3 the 4.S.T. a.thorities so3e
eBplanation or #ithdra#al of $r. 1ead6eater)s false state3entC #hich #as all the 3ore
da3a5in5 fro3 6ein5 eBpressed in a secret ;o.rnal to a 6ody holdin5 its 3eetin5s in secret.
$rs. Besant #as asked if she herself #o.ld offer any eBplanation of the eBtraordinary
state3ent.
$rs. Besant ref.sed to disc.ss the 3atterG any 3atterC indeedC ha/in5 to do #ith -3y
schoolC- as she called the 4.S. Th.s $rs. BesantC 6y standin5 on her di5nity - it did not afford
3.ch foot-roo3 certainly - dod5ed the responsi6ility of either eBplainin5 or eBc.sin5 the /ery
foolish and ill-3annered ;i6e of her collea5.eC $r. 1ead6eater. That #o.ld 6e only politicC of
co.rseC asC 6ein5 so #ide of the tr.th - a lieC in fact - no eBplanation co.ld 6e 3adeC 6.t #hen
t#o e/enin5s later $rs. Besant addressed a cro#ded 3eetin5 of T.S. 3e36ers in the >in5)s
:all she had the a.dacity to tell her a.dience that the 1od5e 4Bec.ti/e had eBpelled her
school. :ad she not 6een told o/er and o/er a5ain that this #as .ntr.eC so3e eBc.se 3i5ht
6e 3ade for herG 6.t she did kno# it #as .ntr.eC as there are 3any #itnesses to testify. As
the 3eetin5 proceeded $rs. Besant)s 3oti/e in i5norin5 the facts 6eca3e clearerC she #o.nd
.p <.ite a nice little #holeso3e talk a6o.t the T.S.C #ith a /eno3o.s attack on the Sydney
1od5e 4Bec.ti/e Enot the Tr.steesFC and declared - #ith an atte3pt at the dra3atic - that she
#as speakin5 for the last ti3e in the >in5)s :all .ntil the 1od5e 4Bec.ti/e had 6een re3o/ed.
-Poor old ladyC- re3arked one of her a.dience. The cli3aB #as pathetic in the
eBtre3eC and the re3ark /ery nat.ral. The President see3ed indeed ;.st a poor old ladyC
an5ry and pi<.edC and .na6le to hide her annoyanceC and she sat do#n a3id a /ery half-
hearted atte3pt to so.nd a note of appla.se fro3 the a.dience. 4/idently $rs. Besant
eBpected to s3ash the opposition 6y her presenceC her infl.enceC her elo<.enceC and her
heroic threatG 6.t the tide t.rned the other #ayC and she disco/ered in a 3eetin5 of o/er
se/en h.ndred 3e36ersC called to5ether 6y her o#n friendsC a hostile 3a;orityC #hich re/elled
in denyin5 her acc.sationsC deno.ncin5 $essrs. 1ead6eater and Wed5#oodC and their action
in introd.cin5 sectarianis3 into the T.S.C their #eakness for 6o5.s titlesC and all the rest of it.
This fail.re to s.ppress -the re6ellion- called for other 3eas.res. AlreadyC and 6efore
$rs. Besant)s arri/alC a special 5eneral 3eetin5 of Sydney 1od5e 3e36ers had 6een planned
for an early date to cens.re the 1od5e 4Bec.ti/eC and call fair its resi5nation.
After $rs. Besant)s 3eetin5 this notice #as #ithdra#n - it #as clear that instead of
cens.rin5 the 4Bec.ti/eC a 5eneral 3eetin5 of 3e36ers #o.ld s.pport it. $rs. Besant
stepped into the 6reach therefore. The follo#in5 note #as sent to a score or t#o 3e36ers of
the 4soteric SectionC eBpellin5 the3 fro3 f.rther participation in the 5ood thin5s of that
or5anisationI
Pri/ate.
-$alahideC 4la3an5 A/.C >irri6illiC $ilson)s PointC
-$ay 22thC 1022.
-To ---C
-Hnder the pled5e taken 6y yo. as a 3e36er of the 4.S.T.C I call on yo. to ret.rn to 3y
a5ent for this p.rposeC $r. Ian Da/idsonC -Ar3idaleC- Thr.pp StreetC @e.tral BayC all 6ooksC
papersC doc.3ents of all kindsC and and pict.res yo. ha/e recei/ed as a pled5ed 3e36er of
the 4.S.T.C #ithin one #eek fro3 this dateC as I can no lon5er incl.de yo. a3on5 3y p.pils.
-A@@I4 B4SA@TC 7.:.-
Those #ho recei/ed these 3issi/es nat.rally incl.ded the #icked Tr.steesC and s.ch
of the 3e36ers of the 4Bec.ti/e as are not s.pporters of the 1.!. !h.rch. The 3e36ers
eBpelled #ereC for the 3ost partC .nkno#n to $rs. Besant. :er headship of the 4soteric
Section has for so3e years 6een 3erely no3inal. $r. =inara;adasa does the letter-#ritin5C
and the local a5ents attend to all local affairs. Th.s the na3es f.rnished for eBp.lsion #ere
s.pplied 6y the local a5ent. Those #ho #ere 3arked do#n #o.ld 6e kno#n perhaps as
sy3pathisers #ith the T.S. 1oyalty 1ea5.eC or perhaps had 6een o/erheard criticisin5 the
actions of the 1.!.!.C and so3e #ho #ere not kno#n in either of these sins recei/ed the little
notes 6eca.se they had 9er3an na3esC or #ere ass.3ed at so3e re3ote period in the past
to ha/e had 9er3an ancestors. @o# that these fort.nate people are o.t of the 4.S. fo5C and
a5ain 6askin5 in the s.nli5ht of freedo3C they 6e5in to realise ho# eBactly the 4soteric
Section is 6ein5 .sed as a #eapon of oppression 6y a36itio.s 3astersC and to thank 9od
#hen they say their prayers that they are no lon5er fearf.l that the 3an or #o3an sittin5
opposite to the3 at ta6le is a spy in the ca.se of occ.ltis3.
7n $ay 22nd a /ery special 3eetin5 of still faithf.l 4soteric 3e36ers #as held. This
is a copy of the notice con/enin5 it. It #ill 6e seen that no 5oats #ere to 6e allo#ed in #ith
the sheep on this occasionI
-4.S.T.C Pri/ate.
-" Ray3ond RoadC @e.tral BayC Sydney
-1%th $ayC 1022.
-The 7.ter :ead #ill hold a 5eneral 3eetin5 for all 5rades of the 4astern School at the
!o-$asonic Te3pleC Re5ent StreetC at '.2 p.3. on $onday neBtC the 22nd $ay. 8o. are
in/ited to attend.
->indly 6rin5 this paper #ith yo.. 7nly those #ho ha/e the in/itation #ith the3 #ill 6e
ad3itted.
-!. W. 14ADB4AT4RC -!orrespondin5 Secretary.-
At this 5atherin5 a5ain it is said $rs. Besant /oiced her #oes and decried the Sydney
1od5e 4Bec.ti/eC /o#in5 that the opposition to -Brother- 1ead6eater and -Initiate- Wed5#ood
#ere only 6lindsC and that the attack #as really ai3ed at herself.
@eBt ca3e an order to all 3e36ers of the 4soteric Section to either lea/e it or the
Sydney 1od5e. This #as a real 6lo# to 3any #ho had 6een associated #ith the Sydney
1od5e for 3any years. It 3eant the se/erin5 of tried and pro/en friendshipsC the 6reakin5 of
all sorts of pleasant ties and associationsC 6.t there #as no help for it. The cas.al reader #ill
ask #hy on earth sho.ld free people take any notice of orders of this sort? +ree people? $y
dear sirC yo. do not .nderstand anythin5 a6o.t occ.ltis3C at any rateC a6o.t that 6rand of it
eBpressed 6y the 5reat Arhats #ho r.le the 4.S. What 6.ddin5 occ.ltist cares for freedo3?
:e ai3s at initiationC and Arhat 1ead6eater holds the keys to a ne# hea/en and a ne# hell. If
the Arhat 6ade hi3 t.rn on his 3other or deny his father he #o.ld consider the cost as
nothin5 if the re#ard #ere a step to#ards a place in the ranks of 1ead6eater)s :ierarchy.
These people are hypnotisedC partly 6y their o#n a.to-S.55estion. 7f co.rseC they are
not asked to t.rn on their 3othersG 6.t they are re<.ired to o6ey $rs. Besant #itho.t ca/il or
delayC and $rs. Besant incl.des in that o6edience to herC o6edience to her no3inees. When
$rs. Besant 5ets annoyedC o6edience nat.rally 6eco3es a little tryin5. In fairnessC ho#e/erC
let it 6e said that .ntil recently $rs. Besant has not 6een ar6itrary in her clai3s. Then there is
fear. These people are told that if they oppose the ArhatsC they oppose 9od)s #illC and store-
.p for the3sel/es .ntold cala3ities in this or other li/es. As o.r 5eneration is still prone to
fear the priestC the police3anC and 9odC fro3 heredity and force of ha6itC they are cred.lo.sly
afraid if they earn $rs. Besant)s or $r. 1ead6eater)s reproaches.
+inallyC the follo#in5 letterC dated =.ne 'thC #as sent to 3e36ers of the 4soteric
SectionI -
4.S.T.
EPri/ateF
-$alahideC 4la3an5 A/en.eC >irri6illiC SydneyC
-=.ne 'C 1022
-To the Pled5ed $e36ers of the 4soteric School in the Sydney 1od5eC
-As perfect and 3.t.al tr.st 3.st eBist 6et#een teacher and p.pil in any school #hich
is .nder a $aster of the Wisdo3C #ith :is representati/e as its o.ter /isi6le headC and asC
6efore enterin5 the 4soteric SchoolC yo. stated that yo. re5arded 3e as that representati/e in
s.ccession to :.P. Bla/atskyC it is necessaryC .nder present circ.3stancesC to reconsider o.r
relationship.
-$r. T.:. $artyn Eto #hose 5ood #ork for the Theosophical Society d.rin5 3any yearsC
A.straliaC Tas3aniaC and @e# &ealand o#ed so 3.ch - #ork #hich has 6eenC fro3 the 4.S.
standpointC richly re#ardedF hasC .nder the strain #hich that re#ard 3ade ine/ita6leC t.rned
a5ainst his seniors in the 4.S.C and a5ainst 3yself as President of the T.S.C re-elected last
year 6y the /ote of the #hole of the T.S. for a third ter3 of se/en years. :e and his
associates in the Sydney 1od5e Eafter a prolon5ed ca3pai5n a5ainst 3eC carried on 6efore
3y electionFC ha/e contin.ed to attack 3e pri/ately and p.6liclyC 3akin5 acc.sations a5ainst
the #hichC if tr.eC #o.ld render 3e totally .nfit to hold any hi5h position in the T.S. They took
the occasion of 3y /isit to A.stralia to 6e5in a /iolent attack in the Sydney pressC at first
so3e#hat /eiledC 6.t soon de/elopin5 into an open atte3pt to destroy 3y 5ood na3e. $r.
$artyn and his fello#-tr.stee eBcl.ded 3y 4.S. p.pils fro3 their 3eetin5-roo3 in the Sydney
1od5e pre3isesC as an .ns.ita6le 6ody to contin.e as tenantsC and 6ade the3 3ake other
arran5e3ents. This eBp.lsion has 6een confir3ed 6y the 3a;ority of the 4Bec.ti/e of the
1od5e. I ha/eC thereforeC #ith 3y p.pilsC had to seek another 3eetin5-place. In addition to
thisC they contin.ed attacks in a ne#spaperC #hich 5ladly opened its col.3ns to anythin5
#hich in;.red the T.S.C aid e/en faked .p the acc.sations a5ainst :.P. Bla/atsky in 1,,"C
f.rther to discredit the Society as a #hole. All 3e36ers of the 4.S. are 6o.nd 6y their pled5e
-to s.pport the Theosophical $o/e3ent 6efore the #orld.- While $r. $artyn clai3s in a
p.6lic 3eetin5 to -fla5ellate and chastise it #hen it 5oes #ron5- - in his opinion and that of his
friendsC I cannot reco5nise that attit.de a3on5 3y p.pils. Perfect and 3.t.al tr.st is th.s
destroyed.
-The attack on the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch is also non-TheosophicalC and places those
#ho take part in it on a le/el #ith those #ho assail /iolently the Ro3an !atholic !h.rchC or
:ind.is3C or B.ddhis3C or &oroastrianis3C or lsla3C or any other 5reat reli5ion. S.ch attacks
are contrary to the +irst 76;ect of the T.S.C and entirely i3per3issi6le in any 3e36er of the
4.S. I a3 therefore callin5 on all #ho ha/e taken part in the3 to ret.rn E#ithin one #eek fro3
this dateF to 3y A5ent for this p.rpose E$r. lan Da/idsonC -Ar3idaleC- Thr.pp StreetC @e.tral
BayFC all 6ooksC papers and doc.3ents of all kindsC and any pict.res they ha/e recei/ed as
pled5ed 3e36ers of the 4.S.T.
-In order to pre/ent constant conflict 6et#een the Sydney 1od5e and the 3e36ers of
the 4.S. 6elon5in5 to it Eth.s perpet.atin5 discord 6y co3pellin5 all 3y p.pils to li/e in all
at3osphere of hatred and .nder the d.ty of constantly protestin5 a5ainst acc.sations le/eled
a5ainst their Teacher and a5ainst her representati/e in A.straliaFC I call .pon the3 to choose
6et#een the 4.S. and the Sydney 1od5e of the T.S.C painf.l as that choice 3ay 6e to the3.
We 3.st 5o for#ard #ith o.r #ork of preparation for the co3in5 of the World-TeacherC and
peacef.lly se/er o.rsel/es fro3 those #ho ha/e the ri5ht to represent the Sydney 1od5e
6efore the #orld. Its Tr.stees and 4Bec.ti/e ha/e eBpelled .sC as 4.S. 3e36ersC and none
can c.t hi3self in t#ainG so3e 222 3e36ers of the Sydney 1od5e ha/e 6een eBpelled as
4.S. 3e36ersG they cannot re3ain in it in their character as T.S. 3e36ersC and 6e eBposed
to constant re/ilin5s as 3y p.pils. Those #ho tr.st 3e as their teacher 3.st lea/e the 1od5e
and send notice that they ha/e left it. Those #ho do notC 3.st send in their 4.S. papers. 7ne
co33.nication or the other 3.st reach $r. Ian Da/idson #ithin the #eek. $ake yo.r choiceC
each one of yo.C in the $aster)s presence.
-8o.r faithf.l ser/antC
Annie BesantC 7.:.-

In this letter $rs. Besant 3odifies her attit.de to#ards the Sydney 1od5e 4Bec.ti/eC
6.t concentrates her 6itterness on $r. $artyn. $rs. Besant has had fe# sta.ncher
s.pporters than $r. $artynG 6.t it is said to 6e characteristic of the President that she has
little sense of loyalty to her friends #hen they can no lon5er 6e of .se to herC and $r. $artyn
serio.sly h.rt $rs. Besant)s amour propre #hen he all .nconscio.sly disclosed to the #orld
the fact that she #as not s.ch an all-seein5 occ.ltist as she #o.ld like to 6e tho.5ht. :e has
sadly fallen in fa/or of lateC since he is 6la3ed for 6ein5 the ca.se of +arrar)s confessionC the
.ndi5nified retreat of -Bishop- Wed5#oodC and the s.spicion that all is not ri5ht #ith -Bishop-
1ead6eater. B.t all thro.5h the last tro.6lo.s co.ple of years $r. $artyn see3s to ha/e
co3e o.t ri5htC and the other fello# #ron5C and there is an e/er-5ro#in5 con/iction that $r.
$artyn only spoke #hen and #hat he kne#G not #hat he s.spected 3erely. 7n the other
handC $rs. Besant has #eakened her position in the Society 6y tryin5 to shield those #ho
ha/e 6een 6rin5in5 the Society into deser/ed disrep.te.
The reference in $rs. Besant)s letter to $r. $artynC clai3in5 to -fla5ellate- the Society
#hen it 5oes #ron5C is a little inacc.rate a5ain. $r. $artyn #as addressin5 a cro#ded p.6lic
3eetin5 in the >in5)s :all on the s.6;ect of The Theosophical #ociety: )ts 1riends and its
5nemies" The -&aily Telegraph- reported the lect.reC and no do.6t $rs. Besant)s co33ent is
taken fro3 the follo#in5 eBtractI
-I #ant to ask yo. #ho3 yo. re5ard as the ene3ies and #ho3 as the friends of the
SocietyC after #hat yo. ha/e heard. I think I can ans#er for 3any of yo.C that the ene3ies
are those #ho #ish to .se the Society for personal ai3sC and the friends are those #ho 5i/e it
honora6le presentation 6efore the #orldC and #hen it 5oes #ron5 #ill fla5ellate and chastise
it. A3on5 those friends I reco5nise the #ork of The &aily Telegraph. EAppla.se.F In doin5 o.r
#ork #e 3.st 5et a#ay fro3 all this ostentation and 6ack to si3plicityC for5ettin5 the fl.33ery
and pretence of sacerdotalis3C stri/in5 for the 5ood of the people on the co33on streetC and
li/in5 a3on5 the3C not as saints or 3onksC 6.t as 6rother #ith 6rother? E:earty appla.se.F -
$r. $artyn #ill no do.6t ha/e /ie#s of his o#n a6o.t 6ein5 -richly re#arded.- :is
-re#ards- see3 co3in5 to hi3 fro3 the President)s penC fast and f.rio.s ;.st no#G #hy not
try the effect of inflictin5 a little -p.nish3ent- on hi3C that 3i5ht 6e 3ore 5enero.s. B.t
e/eryone #ho kno#s $r. $artyn kno#s thatC he has ne/er ca3pai5ned a5ainst $rs. Besant.
This is her #ay of sayin5 that -people #ho do not tr.st $r. Wed5#oodC or $r. 1ead6eaterC or
do not accept the 1.!.!.C or the 7rder of the Star in the 4astC as hea/en-sentC are opposin5
me.- In no other #ay has there 6een any ca3pai5n a5ainst the President in Sydney. @either
$r. $artyn nor the T.S. 1oyalty 1ea5.e initiated the press attack. $rs. Besant 6ro.5ht that on
herself 6y her -take it to the police- attit.deC #hich it is no eBa55eration to say al3ost
st.pefied the p.6licC and so affected an other#ise friendly pressC that the p.6lic f.nctions in
#hich $rs. Besant participated #ere thereafter hardly 3entioned in the ne#spapers. The
#ydney 'orning +erald did not e/en send a reporter to any of the3C and the /isit #hich 3i5ht
ha/e 6een a /ery .sef.l one fell as flat as a Shro/e T.esday pancake.
The follo#in5 letterC c.t o.t of the &aily Telegraph of =.ne 2(thC sho#s that $rs.
Besant #ent still f.rther in another articleC acc.sin5 $r. $artyn of ha/in5 initiated the &aily
Telegraph attack on the 1.!.!. and indi/id.als connected #ith it. $r. $artyn)s rep.diationC
co.pled #ith the state3ent of the 4ditor of that ne#spaperC isCappendedI
-'rs" Besant and 'r" 'artyn
-SirC - :ere#ith I send a copy of the =.ne iss.e of the Theosophical Society)s
A.stralian official 3a5aAine. The first article is contri6.ted 6y $rs. Annie BesantC and I
partic.larly in/ite attention to its first para5raphC the last fe# lines of #hich readI )The
sha3ef.l ca3pai5n on 3y collea5.e has 6een #orked .p in order to co/er the attack on
3yselfC #hich 6eca3e o/ert thro.5h the infl.ence of $r. T.:. $artyn o/er The &aily
Telegraph of Sydney.)
-8o. #ill necessarily 6e a#are that I ha/e no infl.ence o/er the policy of yo.r paper. In
this connection $rs. Besant)s co33ent is rather h.3oro.s. I a3 #ritin5 3ore partic.larly to
ask yo. to s.pport 3e in the fact that I had nothin5 #hate/er to do #ith the ina.5.ration of
yo.r ca3pai5n on $ay 1(. It #o.ldC I a3 s.reC 6e easy for yo. to ascertain fro3 3e36ers of
yo.r staff that I had not contacted any of the3 for se/eral 3onths prior to that date. With yo.r
assistanceC I tr.st I 3ay 6e a6le to con/ince $rs. Besant that her state3ent is a falsehoodC
#hen she #ill perhaps p.6licly #ithdra# it. +ailin5 thatC and in /ie# of #hat I lately learnedC
i.e.C that the &aily Telegraph 5a/e p.6licity to certain char5es entirelyC as it 6elie/edC in the
p.6lic interestC and .ninfl.enced 6y any person o.tside of its staffC I can only concl.de that
$rs. Besant seeks to 3aintain her o#n 5ood na3e 6y p.6lishin5 #hat she kno#s to 6e
inacc.rate a6o.t 3yself. 8o.rsC etc.C
T.:. $ARTI@
EThe &aily Telegraph fo.nd that a state of affairs eBisted in re5ard to the -1i6eral
!atholic !h.rch- and certain TheosophistsC of #hich it tho.5ht the p.6lic sho.ld 6e a#areC
and de3anded a f.ll in<.iryC #hich is no# 6ein5 cond.cted 6y the police. $r. $artyn did not
6rin5 the 3atter .nder o.t noticeC and he certainly did not eBercise any infl.ence in re5ard to
the 3atter p.6lished. - 4d.F
@o# is $rs. Besant)s chance. 8ill she admit and ,ithdra, her falsehood9
- &a,nC =.lyC 1022
---------------------
[4]
/OO5 &EVIE6
Candles in the Sun 6y 1ady 43ily 1.tyensC p.6lished 10%( 6y R.pert :art-Da/isC
1ondonC 10' pp. #ith indeBC 12 ill.strationsC price K%.22. !anadian A5entsC British Books
Ser/ice E!anadaF 1td.C TorontoC 7nt.
1ady 43ily 1.tyensC 5randa.5ther of 1ord B.l#er 1yttonC ;oined the Theosophical
Society in 1012 and left it in 102. D.rin5 those t#enty years she #as closely associated #ith
ally the pro3inent 3e36ers of those daysC she tra/eled and lect.red eBtensi/elyC and her
ti3eC ener5y and all the de/otion of her intenseC e3otional nat.re #as 5i/en to the Society
and its leaders. While the 6ook does not .n/eil the entire history of the period - for 3.ch has
6een left o.t of 3atters #ell kno#n to 1ady 43ily - her #ork i3presses one as 6ein5 honest
and acc.rateG the 3any <.otations fro3 the a.thor)s diaries and letters of those yearsC
to5ether #ith the fact.al nat.re of her #ritin5C s.pport its a.thenticity.
It is a tra5ic 6ook for it deals #ith an era in the history of the Society #hen the
3essa5e of the $asters and :.P.B #as li5htly 6r.shed aside and #as replaced 6y a pse.do-
theosophy 6ased .pon the alle5ed psychic re/elations of $r. 1ead6eater and others. It is
<.estiona6le #hether 1ady 43ily e/er read any of :.P.B.)s #ritin5s or e/er had a 5li33er of
#hat theosophy really is. 7n pa5es 10-22 the a.thor sets o.t #hat is descri6ed as Da /ery
o/er-si3plified acco.nt of the chief Theosophical 6eliefs). The Society has no 6eliefs. 1ady
43ily apparently ne/er .nderstood the Society)s f.nda3ental position of freedo3 fro3
do53aC 6eliefs and creedsC for .ntil >rishna3.rti)s teachin5s forced her to .se discri3inationC
she had an astonishin5 capacity to 6elie/e anythin5. :er Theosophical D6eliefs) #ere
co3plicated 6y 3any neo-theosophical 5arnish3entsC and #hile a Bla/atsky st.dent #ill 6e
a6le to reco5niAe so3e fa3iliar #ords and phrasesC he #ill 6e shocked or a3.sedC dependin5
.pon his te3pera3entC at the rococo e36ellish3ents #ith #hich $r. 1ead6eater so.5ht to
decorate the ancient #isdo3.
1ady 43ily ca3e into the Society #hen >rishna3.rti #as 6ein5 hailed as the co3in5
World Teacher and the sta5e #as 6ein5 set for the ela6orate or5aniAation #hich $rs. Besant
and $r. 1ead6eater atte3pted to 6.ild aro.nd hi3. To $r. 1ead6eater)s credit it 3.st 6e
ad3itted that he sa# clearly in reco5niAin5 .n.s.al spirit.al <.alities in the yo.n5 6oy. If he
had 6een content to predict f.t.re 5reatness for the ladC he #o.ld later ha/e 6een re5arded
as a prophet. InsteadC eBtra/a5ant clai3s #ere 3ade and in keepin5 #ith theseC the co3in5
Teacher had to 6e la.nched .pon his career #ith #orld#ide p.6licity and attended 6y retin.es
of :ierarchsC Initiates and Apostles - and #ith an or5aniAed ch.rch all ready to preach his
5ospel 6efore he had e/en anno.nced it. 1ady 43ily #as in the heart of all this. She #as
de/oted to >rishna3.rti and in Candles in the #un she tells the inner story of his a#akenin5
to 3anhood and p.ttin5 aside the 3ask of the 3arionette #hich had 6een s.peri3posed
.pon hi3.
>rishna3.rti rep.diated the #hole ela6orate set.p as soon as his 3at.rin5
conscio.sness 6roke thro.5h the #e6 of ill.sion #hich had 6een #o/en aro.nd hi3. This
re<.ired .n.s.al co.ra5eC a3on5 other hi5h <.alitiesC for >rishna3.rti had 6een n.rt.red
fro3 childhood on the .nrealities of psychis3. :e #as 6o.nd 6y ties of stron5 affection for
$rs. Besant and other leaders in the Society. Hntil he fo.nd hi3selfC he had 5i/en tacit and
open acceptance to so3e of those .nrealities and had also accepted the #orld#ide 7rder of
the Star #hose 3e36ers looked .pon hi3 as the co3in5 Teacher. :is co.ra5eo.s act
ca.sed consternation in the Society - Dthe !o3in5 had 5one #ron5) - and he #as char5ed
#ith 6ein5 .nder the infl.ence of DBlack forces)G act.ally he had escaped fro3 the 6lack and
distortin5 shado#s of .nreality. :e ta.5ht a doctrine directly contrary to that #hich #as
eBpected of hi3 6y the neo-Theosophists. 1i6eration #as the 5oal and 1i6eration #as not to
6e fo.nd in Dshelters of co3fort). -Tr.th does not 5i/e hopeG it 5i/es .nderstandin5 . . . The
ti3e has co3e #hen yo. 3.st no lon5er co3pro3ise #ith Tr.thC #hen yo. 3.st no lon5er
s.6;ect yo.rsel/es to a.thority . . . all yo.r syste3sC yo.r philosophiesC yo.r half-tr.ths 3.st
5o in order to find the 4ternal. I do not #ant to ha/e follo#ers . . . I a6hor the /ery idea of
anyone callin5 hi3self 3y disciple. Be rather the disciple of that .nderstandin5 #hich is the
fr.it of ripe tho.5ht and 5reat lo/eG 6e the disciple of yo.r o#n .nderstandin5.- :e dissol/ed
the 7rder of the Star and ret.rned to its for3er o#nerC !astle 4erde #ith its fi/e tho.sand
acre estate near 733enC :ollandC #hich had 6een 5i/en to hi3 6y Baron /an Pallandt.
If >rishna3.rti had 6een an ordinary 3e36er and not the lon5 acclai3ed World
Teacher his #ords 3i5ht not ha/e raised a ripple on the s3ooth lake of co3placency #hich
s.rro.nded the i/ory to#er in #hich the Adyar Society d#elt. B.t the acclai3ed Teacher had
spoken and his #ords had a de/astatin5 effect. Thro.5h his achie/in5 to freedo3C he had
ena6led others to find freedo3 also. Tho.sands of 3e36ers #ho had 6een ca.5ht .p in the
psychic c.rrent #itho.t thinkin5 of #here it #as carryin5 the3C a#oke fro3 the ill.sion. $any
resi5ned fro3 the Society or <.ietly dropped o.tC the 3e36ership rolls sho# a loss of so3e
fifteen tho.sand 3e36ers d.rin5 the follo#in5 fi/e years. $rs. BesantC #ho lo/ed
>rishna3.rti like a 3other and #ho fir3ly 6elie/ed that he #as the World TeacherC #as daAed
and strickenC 6.t had the co.ra5e to sayC -+ollo# the Teacher.- She closed the 4.S. #hichC
she saidC #as no lon5er necessary no# that the Teacher had co3e. 1ater this #as re/i/ed at
the .r5in5 of $r. =inara;adasa #ho felt that it #as a 3eans of discipline necessary for the
3e36ers. That it #as also a 3eans of eBercisin5 control o/er the 3e36ers 3ay ha/e had
so3ethin5 to do #ith his insistence.
While >rishna3.rti is the central fi5.reC 3any other persons appear in the 6ookC $rs.
BesantC $r. 1ead6eaterC $r. 9eor5e Ar.ndaleC $r. =inara;adasaC Bishop =.I. Wed5#ood and
others pro3inent in the SocietyC and they and their Dteachin5s) and Dre/elations) are portrayed
#ith al3ost nai/e honesty 6y the a.thor. What #as done and said is <.oted directly fro3 her
diaries and th.s the pre/ailin5 attit.de of the day is recapt.red. So3eti3es in readin5 the
6ook one #onders #hether e/en no# 1ady 43ily half-6elie/es that so3e of the fairy stories
#ere tr.e - or #ishes that they 3i5ht ha/e 6een. B.t her letter of resi5nation fro3 the Society
Epa5es 1((-1,2F 3akes it <.ite clear that she had escaped fro3 the 5la3or.
7ne can only #onder #hy so 3any 3e36ers accepted #ith .nthinkin5 cred.lity the
a6s.rdities #hich #ere p.t for#ard as DTheosophy)C - and #hy their o#n co33onsense did
not alert the3 to the pettinessC ;ealo.slyC desire for placeC po#er and 5lory and the
patholo5ical self-centred e5otis3 so ra3pant a3on5 those in po#er. 1ady 43ily had a
sincere affection and respect for $rs. Besant 6.t o6ser/ed that she #as 6ein5 i3posed .pon
6y others and states that -$rs. Besant ne/er did anythin5 6.t confir3 #hat others told her-
Eon psychic 3attersF. The a.thor)s first i3pression of $r. 1ead6eater E1012F #as that -his
5reat idea #as to a/oid 6ein5 6othered - he had no feelin5 and is only 6ored 6y s.fferin5 and
tro.6le.- 1ater she e/idently ca3e to ha/e 3ore respect for hi3C 6.t sa# his #eaknesses.
Speakin5 of the non-acceptance of >rishna3.rti)s doctrines 6y $r. 1ead6eater and other
Theosophical leadersC she #ritesI -. . . I think the reason for it #as that there #as no lon5er
any place for hi3 or for the other T.S. leaders in >rishna)s teachin5. There #as no place in it
for fa/oritis3 or pri/ile5eC for po#er or cere3onyG no place any 3ore for Dinterpreters) or
psychic re/elationsC and !.W.1. ;.st co.ld not let 5o of po#er e/en at the a5e of ei5hty-t#o.-
1ady 43ily herself is no# o/er ei5hty years of a5e and in the preparation of this 6ook
she #as assisted 6y her da.5hterC $aryC #ho #as also in/ol/ed in 3any of the e/ents
recorded there. 7ne character #ho 3o/es thro.5h the 6ack5ro.nd of the 6ook is 1ady
43ily)s h.s6andC Sir 4d#in 1.tyensC #hose letters re/eal hi3 as a 3an of al3ost
s.perh.3an patienceC kindliness and .nderstandin5 in his acceptance of 1ady 43ily)s t#enty
years of lon5 a6sences fro3 her ho3e and children and of her constant acti/ity and fe/erish
eBcite3ent in her Do6sessional desire for spirit.al ad/ance3ent).
Candles in the #un records the story of a 6li5ht #hich al3ost destroyed the Society
and #hose effects are still #ith .s. These are part of the >ar3a of the Society and those #ho
are 3e36ers of that Society 3.st accept this >ar3a e/en tho.5h they #ere not indi/id.ally
in/ol/ed. It 5oes #itho.t sayin5 that this 6ook is a co3plete /indication of the attit.de of
those in !anadaC and nota6ly the late $r. A.4.S. S3ytheC for3er 9eneral Secretary and
4ditor of The Canadian Theosophist( in their /i5oro.s protest a5ainst the actions and
teachin5s of the leaders of those days.
This 6ook sho.ld 6e circ.lated #idely a3on5 all 3e36ers of the Society. It #ill 6rin5
f.rther ridic.le .pon the Society fro3 the p.6licC 6.t for the 3e36ers it #ill help to destroy the
3yth of neo-Theosophy created 6y $r. 1ead6eater et" al. It re/eals #hat Theosophy is not
and 6y doin5 so it 3ay infl.ence the 3e36ers to ret.rn to the st.dy of the a5eless and
.nshakea6le Theosophy set forth in the ori5inal teachin5s of the $asters and :.P. Bla/atsky.
- D. W. B.
- Canadian TheosophistC @o/.-Dec.C 10%(
------------------------
"CANDLES IN THE SUN"
LThe follo#in5 co33ents on Candles in the #un #ere eBtracted fro3 an infor3al letter
Enot intended for p.6licationF recei/ed 6y a s.6scri6er to the 3a5aAine fro3 a friend #ho has
6een a 3e36er of 6oth the Point 1o3a and the Adyar Societies and #hose years of #ork for
Theosophy are indicati/e of his deep and heartfelt interest in the Theosophical $o/e3ent.M
This 6ook is a peep in to three distinct yet not .nrelated thin5sI the inner life of 43ily
1.tyensC the story of >rishna3.rtiC and the history of the Adyar T.S. and its relationship to
>rishna3.rti. A peep-inC 6eca.se tho.5h it 5i/es a /ery definite #hiff of at3osphereC it does
not 6y any 3eans con/ey a f.ll pict.re and is so sparsely doc.3ented that no serio.s
historian can take it as of 3.ch #ei5ht or si5nificance fro3 that standpoint. @e/erthelessC it is
i3portant in its #ay 6eca.se the at3osphere th.s preser/ed and transferred to the reader is
a.thentic as far as the eBperiences of the a.thor - and they cannot 6e <.estioned - are
concerned. As far as 6ein5 anythin5 of a pict.re of Theosophy itself as a philosophyC it tells
nothin5C for it no 3ore re/eals Bla/atsky theosophy than a 6ook on the art of #indo#
decoratin5 and display teaches philolo5y - the t#o are disparate. And it is i3portant to note
that it is the /ery lack of Theosophy that 3akes the incidents of this 6ook at all possi6le. With
a tr.e fir3 6asis of Theosophy they co.ld ne/er ha/e happened. Therefore the re/ie#er in
the recent C"1"L" Bulletin is a6sol.tely ri5ht in s.33in5 it .p as a 6ook that is #orth readin5 in
order to kno# #hat Theosophy is @7T 6eca.se there is no Theosophy in it.
+or this reason one cannot 6.t ha/e 3.ch sy3pathy for all that 1ady 1.tyens #ent
thro.5h and fro3 #hich certainly her e3otional nat.re #o.ld ha/e 6een sa/ed if she had
6een instr.cted in the 6asic tenets of the trans-:i3alayan philosophy. There are parts also of
the 6ook #hich are ;.st sli5htly re3iniscent of so3e Point 1o3a eBperiencesC not in act.alityC
6.t in the at3osphere in/oked. Point 1o3a #as farC far so.nder in its #ays and 3ethodsC
#ith its solid core of old Bla/atsky st.dentsC and yetC especially in the early daysC there #as
that 6it of 3ystery connected #ith the $asters and !helas and all that 5oes #ith the 3ystic
life that #o.ld 3ake any Point 1o3a reader sy3pathetic to a de5ree #ith the aspirations of
1ady 1.tyens. At the sa3e ti3e Point 1o3a trainin5 #as intensely practical in the doin5 of
e/ery-day thin5sC in its ed.cationC and e/en in the learnin5 of so3e tradesC s.ch as printin5
E6eca.se of o.r printin5 and p.6lications esta6lish3entF. Point 1o3a also #as intensely anti-
psychicC and s.ffered the effects of la6orin5 .nder the paradoB of 6elief in the $astersC yet
disco.ra5in5 the faintest sho# that s.ch a thin5 #as reflected in the life of the st.dent to the
eBtent of 6ein5 -in contact-.
7ne can also feel so3ethin5 3ore than sy3pathy for the pli5ht that >rishna3.rti fo.nd
hi3self inC and to ha/e rep.diated the 3ass ho3a5e that co.ld easily ha/e 6een his lotE and
#as for a considera6le periodF re<.ired an honesty and stren5th and steadfastness that co.ld
point to his ha/in5 eBperienced an inner ill.3ination that did transfor3 his life. B.t for hi3 to
still hold to the fact that he is the World TeacherC the channel for the B.ddha :i3self to #ork
thro.5hC thatC he #as and is in fact no lon5er >rishna3.rti 6.t that 9reat Bein5 hi3selfC
sho#s either that he is /ery i5norant in so3e #ays or that he really ne/er has reco/ered fro3
the #arpin5 his psycholo5ical nat.re recei/ed d.rin5 those years .nder 1ead6eater and
Besant #hen he #as 6ein5 -t.tored- as the *ehicle for the A.5.st Presence. In all the 6ookC
ho#e/erC after 1ady 1.tyens) h.s6andC #ho e3er5es as a <.ite re3arka6le 3an of so.nd
sense and kindly ;.d53entC >rishna3.rti appears in the 6est li5ht. When he says he #ants
no follo#ersC that #hat he does #ant is to 6rin5 to e/ery 3an and #o3an freedo3C to sho#
that each is the Way hi3selfC he is pointin5 to the path taken 6y all 3ysticsC and 1ady 1.tyens
herself ad3its that she is .ncertain #hether this is so3ethin5 .ni<.e attained 6y
>rishna3.rtiC or so3ethin5 relati/ely co33on to any cloistered 3onk or n.n or 3ystic of any
faith or !h.rch. :er personal lo/e for hi3C controlled on her part and not a6.sed on hisC lifts
these pa5es to the plane of a !onfession elo<.ent in its #ay a3on5 contri6.tions to 3ystic
literat.re.
B.t #here the 5reatest folly is sho#nC re/oltin5 6eca.se ineBc.sa6le in follo#ers of
:.P. Bla/atsky and st.dents of The #ecret &octrineC is the co.rse taken 6y the Adyar T.S. in
foistin5 on its cred.lo.s 3e36ers the 3yth of the World TeacherC #ith all the cere3onialC
hoc.s-poc.sC ad/ertisin5C ca3pai5nin5C spirit.al sno66eryC intri5.e that #ent #ith it. $rs.
Besant stands arrai5ned thro.5h it as one of the 5reatest fail.res in history. As the spirit.al
leader of tho.sands she failed in the <.alities of real leadershipG she failed to point the #ayC
she #as /acillatin5 in intellect.al and spirit.al 3attersG she #as #eak in her ;.d53ent of her
associatesC and 6eca.se of spirit.al pride that 3ade her #ish to appear as on ter3s of close
association #ith hi5h Spirit.al Bein5sC she per3itted the #hole or5aniAation to 6e attacked 6y
the 5er3 of psychis3C res.ltin5 in a disease that has pro/ed #ell ni5h 3ortal to that 6ody.
And all this despite certain other lo/a6le and indeedC 5reat <.alities. B.t as I see itC she
lacked the 5reatest <.ality of allC honesty to herselfC and lackin5 that she had no
discri3inationC and #ith lack of discri3ination as the $ita saysC co3es loss of all . . . . 7ne
co.ld #aB #roth and elo<.ent in diatri6e o/er a sit.ation s.ch as this #hich has 6ro.5ht .pon
the na3e of Theosophy a co3plete 3is.nderstandin5 fro3 decent nor3al intellect.al peopleC
scorn fro3 othersC and ridic.le fro3 the 3a;ority. Whether as a res.lt of $rs. Besant)s and
1ead6eater)s acts this can e/er 6e -li/ed do#n-C cleared and a ne# start 3ode is so3ethin5
that ti3e alone can tell. The odds are hea/ily a5ainst it. +ro3 this point aloneC the 6ook
points to an appallin5 fail.re on the part of one of the 3ain 6odies of the Theosophical
$o/e3ent. I think nothin5 #orse can 6e said - as of 102 #hen the story o.tlined in the 6ook
ends. Adyar today 3ay 6e - does indeed sho# si5ns of - chan5in5. It #ill depend on ho#
Thoro.5h s.ch a chan5e 6eco3es. A total catharsis is needed.
- Canadian TheosophistC $arch-AprilC 10%,
--------------------
[7]
CLAI&VOYANCE AND -O&ALITY
-A tr.e theosophist 3.st p.t in practice the loftiest 3oral ideal.- - The *ey to
Theosophy"
That #hich dissociates 3oral and intellect.al aspirations fro3 occ.lt de/elop3entC and
seeks to c.lti/ate the3 separatelyC #ill not achie/e 3oral pro5ressC since the inner nat.re is
not trans3.tedG 6.t this 3ethod #ill prod.ce a /erita6le de6a.ch of phrases in/okin5 these
aspirations. +orC instead of penetratin5 6y 3eans of the appropriate practice into the inner
re5ions of the so.lC these aspirations s#irlC so to sayC perpet.ally on the s.rface of the 3ind.
Their presence there #ill prod.ce a kind of psychic intoBicationC so3eti3es ro.sin5 in the
occ.ltist tho.5hts so 3.ch a6o/e his o#n 3ental and 3oral standardC that he 3ay co3e to
re5ard hi3self as a saintC #hile at the sa3e ti3e perfor3in5 the 3ost despica6le actions.
IndeedC d.rin5 s.ch ti3es the cond.ct sho#s a 3oral retro5ression /ery noticea6le #hen
co3pared #ith the cond.ct 6efore this occ.lt de/elop3ent. +or this latter increases and
intensifies all the te3ptationsC as e/ery occ.ltist #ill ad3it. An increase of acti/e 3orality isC
thereforeC re<.ired if #e #o.ld a/oid this 3ost dan5ero.s lack of 6alance.
We kno# that the hi5her re5ions of the in/isi6le #orlds are those in #hich
-conscio.sness- 3anifests itself principally in the 3ost intense a#areness of 3oral 6ea.ty.
Since this is soC the c.lti/ation of the non-3oral clair/oyance co.ld only attain res.lts in
the lo#er re5ions of the astral #orld. The hi5her astral and the de/achanic #orlds #o.ld
re3ain entirely closed to it. =.st as a 3an #ho is color-6lindC tho.5h not co3pletely 6lindC is
sh.t o.t fro3 the #orld of colors on this earthC 6eca.se of so3e defect in the physical or5an
of si5htC so the or5an of clair/oyant si5htC #hen de/eloped accordin5 to certain 3ethodsC #ill
6e 6lind to the 3oral o.tlines of s.6tle #orldsC and ,ill thus be cut off from all their truly
spiritual content" The field of their e6perience ,ill be limited to the lo,er regions of the astral
plane"
And it is these lo#er /isionsC more frequently e6perienced because of their affinity to
elements in the ehicles of the inestigator not yet p.rifiedC that #ill 6e presented as the 3ost
s.6li3e i3a5es of the hi5her #orlds. +or s.ch a clair/oyant is depri/ed of the hi5h 3orality
#hich is the force leadin5 o.r 6odies 6y affinity to#ards tr.ly spirit.al Bein5s. Depri/ed of the
standard of co3parison that these pro/ideC he #ill 6e the /icti3 of all the ill.sions of a #orld
that is the /erita6le 3otherland of ill.sionC for h.3an errors are 6.t the faint reflection of
these. Since the sense of responsi6ilityC #hich is essentially 3oral in ori5inC #ill e<.ally fail
hi3C he #ill ha/e no scr.ple in sharin5 his ill.sions #ith allC in 3akin5 kno#n his 3isleadin5
eBperiences - the less since the forcesC #hose sport he isC p.sh hi3 irresisti6ly to this. Are
they not in tr.th the ad/ersaries of the di/ine sche3e of e/ol.tionC the ser/ants and so#ers of
error and i33orality the #orld o/er?
- 4.5ene 1e/y
- Canadian TheosophistC @o/.C 10%
-----------------
[18]
A CO-PA&ATIVE STUDY
A Comparison bet,een the Teachings of +"/" Blaats!y( C"8" Leadbeater( and -udolf
#teiner about $autama Buddha( 'aitreya Buddha( /ratye!a Buddhas( the Bodhisattas(
%esus Christ and Christian -osen!reut;"
<A paper read to The /eace Lodge of The Theosophical #ociety on 'arch =nd >?@A(
by T"+" -edfernB"
The ai3 of this paper is to co3pare teachin5s #hich differC to note #here they 3ay 6e
co3ple3entaryC and #here they are in flat contradiction and cannot 6oth 6e tr.e. There #ill
6e no atte3pt to assert that one or the other is tr.eC .nless incontro/erti6le e/idence eBists.
The three schools share doctrines co33on to eBponents of occ.ltis3 - all proclai3 the
spirit.al nat.re of 3anC his reincarnation in 3any physical 6odies in a series of li/es in three
relatedly 3aterial #orldsC the fact.ality of psychic po#ersC kar3aC the eBistence of Adept
6rethren and the .lti3ate 5oal for all of .s of spirit.al f.lfill3ent and li6eration fro3 the cycle
of re6irth.
:.P. Bla/atskyC 6orn 1,1C died 1,01C leadin5 fo.nder of The Theosophical Society in
1,(%C declared herself an a5ent of a planetary Brotherhood of Adepts. She propo.nded a
/ast and 3ind-stretchin5 hypothesisC a #orld-concept that e36raced orientalC occidental and
ancient philosophy. She 6oldly challen5ed 3any of the scientific ass.3ptions of her dayC
.pon the a.thority of her Adept instr.ctorsC #ith prono.nce3ents #hich she prophesied #o.ld
in d.e ti3e 6e pro/ed tr.e. She accepted the facts of psychis3 #ith a f.ller and 3ore
reasona6le eBplanation than that pro/ided 6y Spirit.alis3. She assailed the orthodoB
!hristian theolo5y of her ti3eC and in partic.lar the pretensions and despotis3 of the *atican.
:er /ie#s #ere so f.lly those of the Adepts she ser/ed that eBtracts fro3 so3e of their letters
ha/e 6een <.oted in this paper as el.cidatin5 her teachin5s.
!.W. 1ead6eaterC 6orn 1,"(C died 10"C #as an An5lican cler5y3an #ho ;oined The
Theosophical Society in 1,, and #as accepted as a chela 6y one of the t#o Adepts #ho
sponsored the for3ation of the Society. :e 6eca3e a B.ddhist and de/eloped clair/oyant
fac.lties. 1ater he took a leadin5 part in the de/elop3ent of the s3all 6.t #idely spread
1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC of #hich he 6eca3e the second Presidin5 Bishop. $.ch contro/ersy
has re/ol/ed aro.nd the <.estion of his relia6ility as a clair/oyantC andC #hether in fact he
re3ained in as close association #ith his Adept 5.r. as he hi3self 6elie/ed. The teachin5s
attri6.ted to hi3 in this paper #ere shared 6y Dr. Annie BesantC 6.t she c.t off her clair/oyant
fac.lties a6o.t 101%C in fa/or of 3ore physical plane #orkG it is si3pler to attri6.te the3 to
$r. 1ead6eaterC or to refer to the3 as part of @eo-TheosophyC #hilst realiAin5 that Dr. Besant
clai3ed to ha/e checked part of his earlier psychic #ork 6y her o#n fac.ltiesC and 5a/e his
later reports the f.ll endorse3ent of her confidence in hi3.
R.dolf SteinerC 6orn 1,'1C died 102%C #as a doctor of philosophyC and a deep st.dent
of 9oetheG he #as clair/oyant and ;oined The Theosophical Society in 1022C i33ediately
6eco3in5 9eneral Secretary of its 9er3an Section. :e de/eloped a 6ody of distincti/e
doctrine that differs 6oth fro3 the ori5inal teachin5s of :.P. Bla/atsky and fro3 @eo-
TheosophyG this he called Anthroposophy. Tensions de/eloped #hich led to a se/erance of
the connection 6et#een The Theosophical Society and Dr. Steiner and his adherentsG #ho
then for3ed The Anthroposophical Society in 1012.
-------
The story of 9a.ta3a B.ddhaC the fo.nder of B.ddhis3C is #ell kno#n and calls for no
ela6orationC 6.t the differences #e are to consider are related to certain di/er5ences 6et#een
the t#o 3ain schools of the B.ddhist reli5ion 6ased .pon his life and #orkC the :inayana Ethe
1esser *ehicleFC and the $ahayana Ethe 9reater *ehicleF. 7n these distinctions so3e
apposite lines ha/e appeared in The 'iddle 8ay:
-I)3 told 5ood B.ddhists sho.ld 6e 6ent
7n Hlti3ate 4nli5hten3ent.
B.t is the #ay to 6lest @ir/ana $aha andNor :inayana?
EAnd a5ain I)/e heard so3e say
&en)s the /ery <.ickest #ayF.
8et #hen B.ddha #alked #ith 3en
:e had ne/er heard of the3.-
The :inayana doctrines ha/e their diffic.lties - nota6ly perhapsC that of AnattaC that
there is no self and the idea of a contin.in5 entity in .s is an ill.sionG 6.t the presentation is
syste3atiAed and the tho.5ht orderly. When the Westerner co3es in contact #ith $ahayana
tho.5htC ho#e/erC it appears at first as a /ast a55lo3eration of ill coordinated concepts. :e
learnsC for instanceC of !elestial B.ddhas and is p.AAled a6o.t the relation 6et#een these
apparently 3ytholo5ical 6ein5s and the h.3an fi5.re of the 5reat 9a.ta3a. :e notes that
6oth $ahayana and :inayana look for#ard to the appearance of B.ddha $aitreyaC another
f.t.re B.ddhaC 6.t #hilst :inayana re5ards B.ddhahood as an office and an eBtre3ely rare
achie/e3entC $ahayanaC a5reein5 as to its rarityC yet .ses the ter3 eBcl.si/ely as an office
and 3ore freely as a stat.s that is achie/ed 6y 3en of eBceptionally de/eloped spirit.al
nat.re.
This di/er5ence 6eco3es 3ore prono.nced #hen the connotation of the ter3
-Bodhisatt/a- is considered. If :inayana re5ards the Bodhisatt/a as an office-the B.ddha)s
.nderst.dy. There is one Bodhisatt/a only at any ti3eC and the present Bodhisatt/a is the
f.t.re B.ddha $aitreya. The 5oal of the earnest :inayana B.ddhist is to 6e an ArhatC one
#ho has crossed to the other shore and reached @ir/ana. $ahayanaC on the other handC sets
the Bodhisatt/a ideal 6efore e/eryone. The Arhat has #on his freedo3 fro3 the #heel of
6irth and death and has earned @ir/anaG 6.t the Bodhisatt/a is so f.ll of lo/e and
co3passion for the rest of h.3anityC en3eshed in the 3iseries that arise fro3 i5norance - the
soil in #hich the 6liss destroyin5 passions flo.rish that he sacrificially fore5oes the @ir/anic
6liss he has earned and is in a position to takeC in order to help others to 5ain their freedo3
tooC and enter @ir/ana #ith hi3G and there can 6e 3any Bodhisatt/as. They tread a path of
12 sta5es and 6eco3e f.ll B.ddhas. :inayanists apparently think it is only necessary for one
Arhat to .ndertake this #orkC at lon5 inter/als of ti3e.
------
:.P. Bla/atsky recei/ed her essential trainin5 in Ti6et fro3 Adepts in the $ahayana
traditionC so nat.rally her #orks are per3eated #ith this presentation of the Aeonic Wisdo3C
tho.5h she points o.t that the sa3e f.nda3ental tr.ths ha/e 6een p.t forth in 3any c.lt.res
and a5esC and she #as at 3.ch pains to dra# attention to parallel conceptions .nder the
ter3inolo5ies of all the 3a;or faithsC 3yths and 3ystery syste3s of the #orld. All had their
adepts .nder /aryin5 na3es. $3e. Bla/atsky)s #ritin5s are not clearly syste3atiAed and
indeed her p.rpose #as not to propo.nd an orderly acco.nt of the /ast co3pleBities #ith
#hich she dealtC 6.t to #iden the 3ental and c.lt.ral o.tlook of her readers and p.t for#ard
profo.nd and int.ition-stirrin5 tho.5htsC s.55estin5 a li/in5 interrelatedness in nat.re that
defies co3part3entaliAed cate5oriAin5.
This is apparent in her eBplanations a6o.t !elestial or Dhyani B.ddhasC #hich 6rin5s
these 6ein5s into the field of li/in5 .nderstandin5. Adi-B.ddha is the e<.i/alent of Para6rah3
or Ain SophC the Hnkno#a6le So.rce of all 3anifestation. +ro3 Adi-B.ddha a ray of li5ht Ethe
*edantic Dai/iprakritiC the >a66alistic ShekinahF e3er5esC and *a;radharaC the S.pre3e
B.ddhaC co3es into 6ein5 EBrah3anC the Ancient of DaysC the +irst 1o5osF. :e is .n3anifestC
for d.ality has not yet happenedG yet fro3 his heartC *a;rasatt/aC the Dia3ond :eart Eor
Brah3aC Ada3 >ad3on or the Second 1o5osFC 3anifestation co3es into eBistence andC .sin5
:ind. ter3sC the pri3al polarity of P.r.sha and PrakritiC or spirit and 3atterC isC 6orn.
+ro3 *a;rasatt/aC the Second 1o5osC the se/en Dhyani B.ddhas Ethe Se/en
Pra;apatisC the se/en Spirits 6efore the ThroneFC are 3anifestedC and the 7ne 1ife EP.r.shaF
p.lsates thro.5h the entire .ni/erseC in all its 3yriad for3sC differentiated 6y the
characteristics of the pen.lti3ate Dhyani B.ddhasC #ho 6y 3editation create -sons-C the
Dhyani-Bodhisatt/as. In e/ery one of .sC in o.r deepest sel/esC the 7ne 1ife is directly
contacta6leC 6.t only thro.5h the Dhyani B.ddha fro3 #ho3 #e ca3e forth. The Dhyani
B.ddhas are called An.padakaC parentlessC #itho.t pro5enitorsC 6.t inherently #e also are
An.padakaC for each of .s is rooted in a Dhyani B.ddha. The B.ddhic po#er is latent in all of
.sC and the de5rees of adeptship are sta5es of 6rin5in5 B.ddhahood to f.ll 3anifestation in
the h.3an 6ody.
The :.3an or $an.shi B.ddha 6eco3es An.padaka #hen his #hole personalityC
3entalC astral and physicalC is synthesiAed in At3a-B.ddhiG then he has 6eco3e a
*a;rasatt/aC -Dia3ond-So.led-C a f.ll $ahat3a.
There is a story of B.ddha that 6rin5s o.t this paradoB that #e are all potential
B.ddhasC 6.t only 5reat stren5thC #isdo3 and co3passion can prod.ce a h.3an B.ddha.
:e #as once asked #hat is the difference 6et#een a B.ddha and a 3onkC and he replied that
in a B.ddha there are ( B.ddhasC 6.t in a 3onk there are 1 B.ddha and ' 3onks?
The #ork a 3an has to do to 6eco3e an Arhat is the disentan5lin5 of the psychic knot
of personalityC the dissol/in5 of the ill.sory -I- 6orn of e3oto-3ental reactionsC and the
restoration of kar3ic 6alance in his relationships. :e is then free of co3p.lsion to 6e
reincarnatedG he is an ArhatC 6.t he is not a $an.shi B.ddhaC a h.3an B.ddhaC one #ho has
6ro.5ht the f.llness of the B.ddha-nat.re into physical lifeC and he 3ay ne/er 6eco3e one.
:e is free of co3p.lsion to ret.rnC he has freedo3 of choice. Se/eral alternati/es lie 6efore
hi3C and a3on5 the3 are these threeG he 3ay enter @ir/ana as is his ri5htC as a Pratyeka
B.ddhaC a solitary B.ddhaC one #ho does not .ndertake to teachG he 3ay cease to
reincarnate 6.tC as a @ir3anakayaC 6eco3e one #ho re3ains in to.ch #ith 3ankind on inner
planes as an inspirerC enco.ra5er and enli5htenerC infl.encin5 those #ho are aspirin5 to
no6ler li/in5 6y the po#er of tho.5ht and lo/eG or he 3ay /ol.ntarily ret.rn to earth life
repeatedly as an AdeptC a 3e36er of the hierarchy of 4lder Brethren #ho #ork for h.3an
#ell-6ein5 and li6erationC li/in5 in h.3an 6odies thro.5h #hich they 5et a direct p.rchase
.pon the affairs of this physical #orld. They are the h.3an Bodhisatt/asC #ho are #orkin5 at
the task of 6eco3in5 h.3an B.ddhasC $an.shi B.ddhas.
There are se/en sta5es of @ir/ana andC accordin5 to $ahayana teachin5C the f.llness
of the B.ddha nat.re 3anifests not alone in Pra;naC the int.iti/e insi5ht of ill.3ined
intelli5enceC 6.t in Pra;na co.pled #ith >ar.naC the 5reat co3passion #hich 6la3es no one
for the i5norance of self-ca.sed s.fferin5C yet 3.st of its o#n nat.re help those in s.ch
distress to 6eco3e a#are of the ca.ses in the3sel/es of their self-inflicted tor3ent.
So the perfection of a Bodhisatt/a incl.des not only the f.llness of Pra;naC #isdo3
6ased .pon the kno#led5e of the .nderlyin5 7neness of all lifeC 6.t also >ar.naC 6rin5in5
a6o.t the f.ll de/elop3ent of HpayaC the skilf.l .se of de/ices to 3eet the special needs of
each one of 3.ltit.dino.s indi/id.alsC eBactly at his o#n le/el of .nderstandin5C and to select
;.st the 3eans that #ill ena6le each one contacted to take his o#n neBt step 3ost <.ickly.
-:e #ho 6eco3es Pratyeka-B.ddha 3akes his o6eisance 6.t to his Self-. -Pratyeka
B.ddhas are those Bodhisatt/as Ethe #ord is differently .sed here as a synony3 for ArhatF
#ho stri/e after and often reach the Dhar3akaya ro6e after a series of li/es. !arin5 nothin5
for the #oes of 3ankind or to help itC 6.t only for their o#n 6lissC they enter @ir/ana and -
disappear fro3 the si5ht and hearts of 3en. In @orthern B.ddhis3 a DPratyeka B.ddha) is a
synony3 for spirit.al Selfishness-. -The Pratyeka B.ddha is a de5ree #hich 6elon5s
eBcl.si/ely to the 8o5acharya School. . . one of hi5h intellect.al de/elop3ent #ith no tr.e
spirit.ality . . . It is one of the three paths to @ir/ana andC the lo#estC in #hich a 8o5i - D#itho.t
teacher and #itho.t sa/in5 others) - 6y the 3ere force of #ill and technical o6ser/ancesC
attainsC to a kind of no3inal B.ddaship indi/id.allyC doin5 no 5ood to anyoneC 6.t #orkin5
selfishly for his o#n sal/ation and hi3self alone . . . A Pratyeka is 5enerally co3pared to a
D>had5a) or solitary rhinoceros . . . :e is far 6elo# a tr.e DB.ddha of !o3passion).-
$3e. Bla/atsky #rote of a :ierarchy of AdeptshipC of Sa5esC of li/in5 Wise $enC and
<.oted #ith appro/al S.66a Rao)s state3entC -thatC as ( distinct Rays radiate fro3 the
D!entral Spirit.al S.n)C all Adepts and Dhyan !hohans are di/isi6le into ( classesC each of
#hich is 5.idedC controlled and o/ershado#ed 6y one of the ( for3s of 3anifestations of the
di/ine Wisdo3-. The #hole ( and 12 de5rees of this :ierarchyC says :.P. Bla/atskyC are
6ased .pon the chief de5rees of Pratyeka B.ddhasC Bodhisatt/as and Perfect B.ddhasG
and the ( initiations 6rin5 the ( po#ers of the ( Dhyani B.ddhas to f.lfil3entC in the Adept -
orC in other #ordsC there are ( B.ddhas 3anifest in hi3C in his co3pletion. The pro5ress to
B.ddhahood is one of co3in5 into closer and f.ller direct rapport #ith the Dhyani B.ddha
fro3 #hich the Bodhisatt/a #as e3anated. As e/eryone of .s is f.nda3entally part of a
Dhyani B.ddhaC so #e are latently Bodhisatt/asC for the celestial Bodhisatt/as are o.r hi5her
sel/es. -The star .nder #hich a h.3an entity is 6orn . . . #ill re3ain for e/er its starC
thro.5ho.t the #hole cycle of its incarnations in one $an/antara Ei.e.C a sche3e of
3anifestationF. B.t this is not the astrological star. The latter is concerned and connected
#ith the personalityG the for3er #ith the indi/id.ality. The DAn5el) of that StarC or the Dhyani-
B.ddha connected #ith itC #ill 6e either the guiding or si3ply the presiding DAn5el)C so to sayC
in e/ery ne# re6irth of the $onad-C or real Self. Whether o.r Dhyani B.ddha -presides- o/er
o.r lifeC and #e 5o o.r o#n s#eet #ay as the personality fanciesC E6.t #hich so often t.rns
o.t to 6e 6itter or so.rFC or #hether o.r life is 5.ided 6y o.r Dhyani B.ddhaC depends #holly
on o.rsel/es. The spirit.al life consists in t.rnin5C for 5.idanceC to the 5od #ithinC the
:ea/enly +atherC the Dhyani B.ddha fro3 #hich #e ca3e forthC and initiations are 6.t
pro5ressi/e realiAations of that 5.idance and its increasin5 presence in o.r li/es. -The
Adepts-C says :.P.B.C -ha/e each their Dhyani B.ddhaC their elder DT#in-So.l)C and they kno#
itC callin5 it D+ather-So.l) and D+ather-+ire). It is only at the last and s.pre3e InitiationC
ho#e/erC #hen placed face to face #ith the 6ri5ht -I3a5e) that they learn to reco5niAe it-.
9a.ta3a B.ddhaC accordin5 to $3e. Bla/atskyC #as a direct 3anifestation of a
Dhyani B.ddhaC A3ita6haG that is to sayC not only had personality 6een dissol/edC 6.t >arana
ShariraC the reincarnatin5 e5o or ca.sal 6odyC had 6een replaced 6y a celestial Bodhisatt/aC
orC in other #ordsC his #hole nat.re #as 3er5ed in At3a-B.ddh.) When 9a.ta3a B.ddha
took the Dhar3akaya /est.re he passed 6eyond possi6ility of re6irthC 6.t his Bodhisatt/ic
-re3ains-C his s.6tler 6odyC -is still present a3on5 the Initiates-C and #as .sed to for3 the
3iddle principles of Sri SankaracharyaC #ho #as not a reincarnation of B.ddhaC for the At3ic
3onad #as different and the 6ody #as ne#C 6.t the 3iddle principles #ere the hi5hly
de/eloped and preser/ed /ehicles of 9a.ta3a. These ha/e 6een .sed for se/eral A/ataras
and 5reat saints.
There is a certain o6sc.rity in :.P. Bla/atsky)s teachin5 a6o.t the B.ddhas and the
Ro.nds and Races. 7n the one hand she says that -of the D( Tr.ths) and Re/elationsC or
rather re/ealed secretsC " only ha/e 6een handed to .sC as #e are still in the "th Ro.ndC and
the #orld has had only " B.ddhasC so far-. 9a.ta3a B.ddha #as of the %th Race and
$aitreya B.ddhaC the %th B.ddha #ill 6e -the last $essiah-. -The last of the A/ataras and
B.ddhas- #ill co3e in the (th Race -at the c.l3ination of the 9reat !ycle-C after #ho3 -the
old #orld #ill 6e destroyed-G 6.t alternati/ely -as e/ery ne# Root-Race at the head of a
Ro.nd 3.st ha/e its re/elation and re/ealers-C - the neBt Ro.nd #ill 6rin5 the %th B.ddha.
Alternati/ely a5ainC of the ( Dhyani B.ddhas % -ha/e hitherto 3anifestedC and 2 are to co3e
in the 'th and (th Root-Races-C and $aitreya B.ddha is B.ddha of the 'th Race.
The =es.s !hrist of the 5ospel story is not a historical characterC accordin5 to $3e.
Bla/atsky. 7ne of her Adept instr.ctors #as e3phatic a6o.t this 6eyond possi6ility of
co3pro3ise. -=es.s- he saidC -is a spirit.al a6straction and no li/in5 3an of that epoch. . .
the real !hrist of e/ery !hristian is the *achC the D3ystical *oice).- The e/ents descri6ed as
takin5 place a6o.t 2 to A.D. did not so happen. The 5ospels are a 6lend of astrono3ical
3ythC initiation alle5ory and traditional lore of the teachin5s of =esch. 6en PandiraC #ho li/ed
a6o.t 122 B.!. The na3e -=es.s- is an 4n5lish transcription of the 9reek -Ieso.s-C #hich is
a transcription of a co33on :e6re# na3e that is translated directly fro3 the :e6re# into
4n5lish as =osh.aC =ehosh.a or =esch.. -=osh.a !hrist- #o.ld therefore 6e ;.st as correct as
-=es.s !hrist-.
=esch. 6en Pandira #as an adeptC an initiate of the 45yptian 3ysteriesC a 3artyr for
Tr.th. -:e #as a Bodhisatt/a #ith a spirit of B.ddha :i3self in :i3- #hich 3ay 3ean that he
#as of -the se/eral A/ataras and 5reat saints- #ho ha/e 6een pri/ile5ed to .se the 3iddle
principles of B.ddhaC -one of the se/eral #orld-refor3ersC a Sa/io.r for his direct follo#ersC
6.t only a 5reat and 5lorio.s InitiateC for all the rest. . . - -The 9ro.p of disciples and
follo#ers attracted to hi3 6elon5ed to the sa3e Dhyani B.ddhaC StarC or +ather. . . -C for as
St. Pa.l saidC one star differs fro3 another in 5lory. =es.s kne# his +ather. -I and 3y +ather
are one- he said. -$y +ather is greater than I-. -I ascend .nto my +ather and your +ather-.
-Then shall the ri5hteo.s shine forth as the s.n in the kin5do3 of their +ather-. The ter3
+ather has de5rees of si5nificance. To .s the reincarnatin5 e5o 3ay #ell 6e the +atherC to
the Initiate pro5ressi/ely his o#n 3onadic At3a-B.ddhiC the Dhyani B.ddha fro3 #hich as a
3onad he ca3e forthC or the Dhyani B.ddhasC the hea/enly parentsC collecti/ely and
synthetic-ally as the 1o5osC the Word. When as !hristians #e say -o.r +ather #hich art in
:ea/en- #e o.5ht to 6e t.rnin5 to the hi5hest foc.s of 5.idance #ithin o.rsel/es that #e can
contactC and -9lorify yo.r +ather #hich is in :ea/en- ad3onishes .s to 6rin5 the hea/enly
5lory of the +ather do#n to earthC -Thy >in5do3 co3eC Thy #ill 6e doneC on earth as it is in
:ea/en-. We are the prodi5al sonsC ret.rnin5 to o.r +ather #ith realiAation of the folly of o.r
#anderin5sC and the #ay #e ha/e ca.sed o.r o#n 3isery that has also 3ade the 6.rdens of
others hea/ierG it is thro.5h .s that the 5lory of the +ather has to 6e 3ade 3anifest on earthC
and I do.6t #hether any of .s #o.ld like to clai3 that #e are doin5 a partic.larly 5ood ;o6 of it
yetG theosophical st.dy helps those #ho are in earnest.
=es.sC ho#e/erC #as a 3an #ho ,as 3akin5 a 5ood ;o6 of it. :e #as transcendin5
the state of !hrestosC the tri6.lations and trialsC to 6eco3e !hristosC the anointed Ieso.s
!hristosC =es.s or =osh.a in #ho3 !hristos or the B.ddha-nat.re #as 3anifest. To :.P.
Bla/atskyC !hristos #as the Di/ine Principle #ithinC B.ddhi-$anasC - or At3aC or the 1o5osC or
a Dhyani-B.ddha reflected in the spirit of 3an. . . Ieso.s !hristos #as therefore the 3an
=es.s 5lorified 6y the inner !hristos. - D!hristos) #ith the 9nostics 3eant the I3personal
PrincipleC the At3an of the Hni/erseC and the At3a #ithin e/ery 3an)s so.l-C she #roteC and
she <.oted !erinth.s #ho ta.5ht that. . . -the S.pre3e per3itted one of his 5lorio.s Aeons
#hose na3e #as the DAnointed) E!hristF to incarnate in the 3an =es.s-. -With the 9nosticsC
!hrist. . . #as the D!hief of the Aeons) -C and #ith the3 the ter3 -Aeons- #as .sed for the (
pri3al Po#ers and all the an5elic host deri/ed fro3 the3. There is a 9nostic doctrineC
<.oted 6y :.P. Bla/atskyC that -!hristos entered the 3an =es.s at the 3o3ent of his 6aptis3
in the =ordan-.
-@o#here thro.5ho.t the @e# Testa3ent is =es.s fo.nd callin5 hi3self 9od or
anythin5 hi5her than Da Son of 9od)C the son of a D+ather) co33on to all synthetically-C :.P.B.
points o.tC and she <.otes Dr. >arl /on Ber5en to sho# that -In the 1C2' places in the @e#
Testa3ent #here the #ord D9od) is 3entioned nothin5 si5nifies that in 9od are incl.ded 3ore
6ein5s than 9od. 7n the contrary in 1( places 9od is called the only 9od. The places #here
the +ather is so-called a3o.nt to 22. In 12% places 9od is addressed #ith hi5h-so.ndin5
titles. In 02 places all prayers and thanks are addressed to the +atherG %2 ti3es in the @e#
Testa3ent is the Son declared to 6e inferior to the +atherG , ti3es is =es.s called the DSon
of $an)G (2 ti3es is he called a 3an. In not one sin5le place in the Bi6le is it said that 9od
holds #ithin hi3 three different Bein5s or PersonsC and yet is 7ne Bein5 or Person-.
$3e. Bla/atsky did of co.rse hold other trinitarian doctrines. The p.rport of her
3ission in relation to !hristianity #as to de3olish the ideas of =es.s as a .ni<.e Sa/io.rC the
only Son of 9odC the only Sa/io.r in #ho3 e/eryone 3.st 6elie/e for rede3ptionC and 6y
#hose /icario.s atone3ent all 6elie/in5 sinners co.ld 6e sa/edG s.ch teachin5s are
pernicio.s. 8et she saidC -. . . the occ.ltist . . . #ill re/erence the 3e3ory of the 9reat $artyr
e/en #hile ref.sin5 to reco5niAe in :i3 the incarnation on earth of the 7ne S.pre3e DeityC
and the D*ery 9od of 9ods in :ea/en) . . . - =es.s 6ore the certain si5n of the Initiate. :e
#as a healer - the first and cr.cial testG no s.pposed initiate -#as one if he co.ld not heal-G
and -if =es.s #ere not an Initiate #hy sho.ld all these allegorical incidents of his life 6e
5i/en?-
She s.33ariAes her position th.sC -We 6e5 the reader not to 6end an ear to the
char5e a5ainst Theosophy in 5eneralC and the #riter in partic.lar - of disrespect to#ards one
of the 5reatest and no6lest characters in the :istory of Adeptship - nor e/en of hatred to the
!h.rch. The eBpression of tr.th and fact can hardly 6e re5ardedC #ith any approBi3ation to
;.sticeC as 6lasphe3y or hatred. The #hole <.estion han5s .pon the sol.tion of that one
pointI DWas =es.s a -Son of 9od- and -Sa/io.r- of $ankindC .ni<.e in the World)s annals? . .
. 7r #as :e only the -son of his deeds-C a pre-e3inently holy 3anC and a refor3erC one of
3anyC #ho paid #ith :is life for the pres.3ption of endea/orin5C in the face of i5norance and
despotic po#erC to enli5hten 3ankind and 3ake its 6.rden li5hter 6y :is ethics and
Philosophy).-
-------
!hristian Rosenkre.tA is the p.tati/e fo.nder of Rosicr.cianis3 andC accordin5 to
traditionC #as 6orn in 1(,. This $3e. Bla/atsky ref.tes. The Brotherhood of the Rosy
!ross #as fo.nded in the 3iddle of the 1th cent.ry she saysC and its ori5in -can 6e
ascertained 6y any earnestC genuine st.dent of 7cc.ltis3C #ho happens to tra/el in Asia
$inorC if he chooses to fall in #ith so3e of the BrotherhoodC and if he is #illin5 to de/ote
hi3self to the head-tirin5 #ork of decipherin5 a Rosicr.cian 3an.script . . . for it is caref.lly
preser/ed in the archi/es of the /ery 1od5e #hich #as fo.nded 6y the first !a6alist of that
na3eC 6.t #hich no# 5oes 6y another na3e. The fo.nder of itC a 9er3an Re.ter Eor
trooperFC of the na3e of RosencranAC #as a 3an #hoC after ac<.irin5 a /ery s.spicio.s
rep.tation thro.5h the practice of the Black ArtC in his nati/e placeC refor3ed in conse<.ence
of a /ision. 9i/in5 .p his e/il practicesC he 3ade a sole3n /o#C and #ent on foot to
PalestineC in order to 3ake his amende honourable at the :oly Sep.lchre . . . There the
!hristian 9odC the 3eek 6.t #ell-infor3ed @aAarene - trained as he #as in the hi5h school of
the 4ssenes . . . appeared to RosencranAC a !hristian #o.ld sayC in a /isionC 6.t I #o.ld
s.55estC in the shape of a 3aterialiAed spirit. The p.rport of this /isitationC as #ell as the
s.6;ect of their con/ersationC re3ained for e/er a 3ystery to 3any of the BrethrenG 6.t
i33ediately after thatC the eB-sorcerer and Re.ter disappearedC and #as heard of no 3ore till
the 3ysterio.s sect of Rosicr.cians #as added to the fa3ily of !a6alists . . . The
Rosicr.cians stro/e to co36ine to5ether the 3ost /ario.s 6ranches of occ.ltis3C and they
soon 6eca3e reno#ned for the eBtre3e p.rity of their li/esC and their eBtraordinary
po#ers . . . 1ater . . . they 5a/e 6irth to the 3ore 3odern TheosophistsC at #hose head #as
Paracels.s . . . -
Accordin5 to :.P.B.C the 3ark of an Initiate is the po#er to heal. Paracels.s #as a
healerC and a characteristic of the Rosicr.cians accordin5 to the pri3e p.6lished doc.3ents
concernin5 the3 #as that they healed the sick #itho.t char5e.
!.W. 1ead6eater dre# his B.ddhistic instr.ction pri3arily fro3 the :inayana tradition
in #hich he 3ade his /o#s. :e has little to say a6o.t Dhyani or !elestial B.ddhas. :e
kno#s of the $ahayana .se of the ter3 Bodhisatt/a in a 5eneral senseC 6.t to hi3C
conc.rrin5 #ith :inayana teachin5C the Bodhisatt/a is an office in the :ierarchyC the B.ddha-
to-6eC the 1ord $aitreyaC #ho3 he e<.ates #ith the =a5at 9.r. of :ind.is3C World Teacher
of an5els and 3en. Adepts are of ( classesC 6elon5in5 to ( raysC accordin5 to $3e.
Bla/atsky. 7.r hi5her sel/es are also each on one of the ( raysC 6.t #hereas $3e.
Bla/atsky said #e re3ain for e/er on one rayC thro.5ho.t a $an/antaric cycleC Bishop
1ead6eater clai3ed that it is possi6le to chan5e one)s ray. :e presented a classified
for3.lationC assi5nin5 to the ( rays 3ost of the Adepts #hose na3es #ere kno#n in the early
acti/ities of the Society in #hich they took partC and he set the3 in a p.tati/e relationship of
a.thority and fields of responsi6ility.
$rs. Besant deleted the references to Pratyeka B.ddhas fro3 the second edition of
The 0oice of The #ilence and its n.3ero.s reprints. EThey #ere restored in the 9olden
=.6ilee edition of 100F. This #as her eBplanationI DThe Pratyeka B.ddha stands on the
le/el of the B.ddhaC 6.t :is #ork for the #orld has nothin5 to do #ith its teachin5sC and :is
office has al#ays 6een s.rro.nded #ith 3ystery. The prepostero.s /ie# that :eC at s.ch
s.perh.3an hei5ht of po#erC #isdo3 and lo/e co.ld 6e selfishC is fo.nd in the eBoteric
6ooksC tho.5h it is hard to see ho# it can ha/e arisen. -:.P.B. char5ed 3e to correct the
3istakeC as she hadC in a careless 3o3entC copied s.ch a state3ent else#here-. $rs.
Besant did not 3ake clear in this state3ent that the re<.est for correction ca3e after :.P.B.)s
deathC and hence is dependent on so3e6ody)s psychic relia6ility. +.rther3oreC :.P.B. is
eBplicit and definite in t#o of her 6ooksC #hich is hardly consistent #ith -a careless 3o3ent-C
and the $aster >.:. #ritin5 to $r. Sinnett contrasts Pratyeka 8ana #hich -3eans literally the
Dpersonal /ehicle) or personal 45oC a co36ination of the fi/e lo#er principles-C #ith A3rita
8ana #hich -is translatedI - )The i33ortal /ehicle)C or the Indi/id.alityC the Spirit.al So.lC or
the I33ortal 3onad - a co36ination of the fifthC siBth and se/enth.- Bishop 1ead6eater 5a/e
a stat.s to the Pratyeka B.ddhas forei5n to anythin5 in B.ddhist literat.reC and far re3o/ed
fro3 the $ahayanist connotations of :.P.B. and the $asters. :e placed the3 at the ,th
initiationC parallel #ith the B.ddhaC 6.t on the r.lin5 rayC and he said there #ere of the3
onlyC Sri Sankaracharya 6ein5 one. Whether or not s.ch hi5h offices eBistC it is clear that the
Pratyeka B.ddhas of :.P.B.)s teachin5 and the $ahayana are not the Pratyeka B.ddhas of
@eo-Theosophy.
The 3ost far-reachin5 of Bishop 1ead6eater)s teachin5s in this field that has no
#arrant in :.P.B.)s #ritin5s is the identification of !hrist #ith the Bodhisatt/aC the f.t.re
B.ddha $aitreyaC the %th Race B.ddha accordin5 to hi3C the %th Ro.nd Eor 'th or (th RaceF
B.ddhaC accordin5 to $3e. Bla/atsky. Bishop 1ead6eater descri6es the 1ord $aitreya as in
incarnation at the present ti3e in a !eltic 6odyC li/in5 in the :i3alayas. Bishop 1ead6eater
said that the 6ody of =es.sC #as occ.pied 6y the Bodhisatt/a $aitreyaC #ho ta.5ht thro.5h it
.sin5 the Bodhisatt/ic re3ains of B.ddhaC as he still does and as in the case of Sri
Sankaracharya. This 5oes f.rther than $3e. Bla/atsky #ho said that =es.s #as a
Bodhisatt/aC #ith the spirit of B.ddha :i3self in :i3. When Bishop 1ead6eater applied the
na3e !hrist to the Bodhisatt/a $aitreyaC his #ords had far-reachin5 potency. It 5a/e a foc.s
for the forces of !hrist #orship and !hrist s.periority - ass.3ptionsC 6.ilt in past cent.riesC to
f.se #ith this tho.5ht of a s.pre3e World Teacher. In Bishop 1ead6eater)s syste3atiAin5 of
the hierarchyC $aitreya-!hrist is s.6ordinate to 9a.ta3a B.ddhaC yet as :ead of all #orld
+aiths he is 5i/en the na3e associated #ith !hristianityC and this has had po#erf.l later
ener5iAation fro3 $rs. Alice A. Bailey. The #isdo3 of this has 6een fairly challen5edC tho.5h
on the other hand the act 3.st 6e noted as an infl.ence con;oinin5 B.ddhis3 and
!hristianity.
Who #as this =es.s #hose 6ody Bishop 1ead6eater says #as occ.pied 6y the
Bodhisatt/a $aitreya-!hrist? In his earlier clair/oyant reports Bishop 1ead6eater confir3ed
that there #as no =es.s-A/atar of a6o.t 2- A.D.C and the tradition relates to =esch. 6en
Pandira of c. 122 B.!.G nor #ere there 12 disciples. -When #e eBa3ine clair/oyantly the life
of the fo.nder of !hristianity . . . #e can find no trace of the alle5ed 12 apostles- he #roteG
this #as part of .ni/ersal 3yth incorporated in the Bi6le storyG 6.t the ori5inal =es.s had
6een conf.sed #ith an o6sc.re fanaticC eBec.ted in =er.sale3 a6o.t 2 A.D. 1ater he #rote
as tho.5h he had for5otten this and took the 12 apostles for 5rantedOC LO This state3ent that
!.W.1. #as inconsistent #ith re5ard to the 12 Apostles has 6een challen5edC #hen a draft of
this paper #as iss.ed to friendsC and so far I ha/e not 6een a6le to ;.stify itC tho.5h feelin5
s.re that I did not incl.de it in the paper in 10%2 #itho.t 5ood e/idence. The reader sho.ld
therefore take it as .ncertainC .nless so3e other st.dent can confir3 it #ith a precise
reference.M descri6in5 =es.s as ha/in5 6een 6aptiAed 6y =ohn the BaptistC follo#ed 6y the
years) 3inistry of $aitreya-!hrist. The 5nostic idea <.oted 6y :.P.B. #as of a 6aptis3 in
=ordanC #ith no 3ention of =ohn the BaptistC and it 3.st not 6e o/erlooked that =ordan is a
3ystic sy36olC - . . . the ri/er =ordan . . . had the sa3e 3ythical .se #ith the :e6re#s that the
@ile had #ith the 45yptians-.
The idea of the 6ody of =es.s 6ein5 .sed 6y the !hrist has 6een descri6ed as in
accord #ith the !erinthian 9nosticsC 6.t they re5arded the o/ershado#in5 !hrist as one of
the ( AeonsC and the chief of the3. Bishop 1ead6eater interposes an inter3ediate a5encyC
the 1ord $aitreya-!hristC #ho3 he re5arded as an a5ent of the Second 1o5osC *ishn.C or the
Hni/ersal !hrist.
Bishop 1ead6eater #as also associated #ith the prophecy that Bodhisatt/a $aitreya-
!hrist #as ret.rnin5 to teach in the present cent.ryC pro6a6ly .sin5 the 6ody of >rishna3.rti.
Dr. Besant anno.nced the co33ence3ent of :is 3ission in 102% and that there #o.ld 6e 12
disciplesC ( of #ho3 #ere na3ed and ' declared to 6e Arhats. It is only fair to say that
Bishop 1ead6eater had nothin5 to do #ith this prono.nce3ent. :e #as in A.stralia. Dr.
Besant #as in 4.ropeC and she 6l.ndered thro.5h acceptin5C #ith ins.fficient critical
discri3inationC the psychic reports of certain collea5.es. >rishna3.rti dis6anded all
or5aniAations related to his s.pposed officeC and he sidestepped all <.estions askin5 #hether
or not he #as the World Teacher. :e does not 3ake any s.ch clai3C 6.t he has pointed o.t
that he has not denied it either. :e considers that 3ost 3e36ers of The Theosophical
Society ha/e 3inds cl.ttered .p #ith doctrines a6o.t thin5s they kno# neBt to nothin5 a6o.t
in practical eBperienceC #ith conse<.ent detri3ent to 6.oyant and effecti/e li/in5. :e asks
his hearers to p.t la6els aside and consider #hat he has to say on its 3erits. Ans#erin5 one
<.estioner he saidI -+riendC #ho do yo. think I a3? If I say I a3 the !hrist yo. #ill create
another a.thority. If I say I a3 notC yo. #ill also create another a.thority. Do yo. think that
Tr.th has anythin5 to do #ith #hat yo. think I a3? 8o. are not concerned #ith the Tr.thC 6.t
yo. are concerned #ith the /essel that contains the Tr.th. 8o. do not #ant to drink the
#atersC 6.t yo. #ant to find o.t #ho fashioned the /essel #hich contains the #aters. +riendC
if I say to yo. that I a3C and another says to yo. that I a3 notC the !hrist - #here #ill yo. 6e?
Drink the #aterC if the #ater is clean. I say to yo. that I ha/e that clean #ater. I ha/e that
6al3 that shall p.rifyC that shall heal 5reatlyG and yo. ask 3eI Who are yo.? ) am all things(
because ) am Life-.
!hristian Rosenkre.tAC fo.nder of Rosicr.cianis3C #as 6orn in 1(%C accordin5 to
Bishop 1ead6eater)s clair/oyance - years 6efore the traditional date and contrastin5 #ith
the 1th cent.ry date of $3e. Bla/atsky. EIt has 6een s.55ested ho#e/erC #ith so3e
co5encyC that she 3ay #ell ha/e 6een .sin5 continental n.36erin5sC accordin5 to #hich the
thirteen h.ndreds constit.te the thirteenth cent.ry. This eBplanation fails to reconcile the
difference ho#e/erC for she says the Brotherhood #as for3ed in the 3iddle of the thirteenth
cent.ry. If !hristian Rosenkre.tA #as 6orn a6o.t 1(%-(,C he co.ld hardly ha/e for3ed the
Rosicr.cians 6efore the fifteenth cent.ry. Accordin5 to @eo-Theosophy this life #as one of a
series in #hich this e5o also appeared as Ro5er BaconC :.nyadi =anosC Ro6ert.s the 3onkC
+rancis Bacon and 1e !o3te de St. 9er3ain. There is a diffic.lty in this - :.nyadi =anos and
!hristian Rosenkre.tA #ere ali/e at the sa3e ti3eC if Bishop 1ead6eater)s Rosenkre.tA date
is tr.e. It is c.rio.s that he p.ts the responsi6ility for the :.nyadi =anos state3ent on Dr.
BesantC sayin5I -I ha/e not seen anythin5 3yself of that life-. $r. Sinnett tho.5ht an Adept
co.ld r.n 3ore than one physical 6ody at the sa3e ti3eG there is a passa5e in The 'ahatma
Letters that s.55ests so3ethin5 of the kindC 6.t it 6elon5s to -the hi5hest for3 of adeptship
3an can hope for on o.r planet- and the last #ho reached it #as Tson5-ka-paC #hereas $r.
Sinnett held that the Rosenkre.tA e5o did not 6eco3e an Arhat .ntil the +rancis Bacon lifeC
and Asekha Ethe %th initiation in Bishop 1ead6eater)s ter3inolo5yF as St. 9er3ain.
------
1et .s no# consider Dr. Steiner)s teachin5s. :e holds that 9a.ta3a B.ddha
6esto#ed a 3eas.re of re/elation .pon h.3anity and then #ithdre# to certain spirit.al
hei5hts to a6ide there and 5.ide the affairs of h.3anity. B.ddhaC he saysC #as a friend and
p.pil of !hristian Rosenkre.tA and participated in a conference at #hich it #as decided that
B.ddha sho.ld take .p #ork on $ars #here a certain p.rification #as neededG and B.ddha
#ent to $ars in 1'2". Accordin5 to Dr. Steiner there #as =esch. 6en Pandira #ho is the
Bodhisatt/a and #ill 6e $aitreya B.ddhaG he has reincarnated repeatedly and #ill co3e
a5ain in the 22th cent.ry. So :.P.B. says =es.s #as a Bodhisatt/aC 1ead6eater says the
Bodhisatt/a ta.5ht thro.5h the =es.s 6odyC and Steiner says =es.s #as the Bodhisatt/a.
B.t says Dr. Steiner there #as also not only a =es.s at the 2- A.D. period as
1ead6eater says - there #ere t#o thenC and they #ere not o6sc.re fanatics. In this 3atter he
says $3e. Bla/atsky #as 3istaken. She #as -the 5reat insti5ator-. The sti3.l.s to occ.lt
in/esti5ation -had to 6e 5i/en 6y the Theosophical Society-.
-:. P. Bla/atsky . . . #as the instr.3ent for the 5i/in5 of the sti3.l.sG and she pro/ed
herself f.lly co3petent for her p.rpose . . . What $3e. Bla/atsky started is of deep incisi/e
i3portanceC 6.t ho# i33eas.ra6le is all that she co.ld not acco3plish in that introd.ctory act
of hers . . . The necessity of the !hrist-eBperience #as co3pletely hidden fro3 Bla/atsky . . .
:er task #as to point o.t the 5er3s of tr.th in the reli5ions of the Aryan peoplesG the
co3prehension of the re/elations 5i/en in the 7ld and @e# Testa3ents #as denied her . . . If
the sti3.l.s 5i/en 6y her in the Theosophical $o/e3ent is to 6e carried f.rtherC #e 3.st
attain to an .nderstandin5 of the !hrist-4/ent. The early Theosophical 3o/e3ent failed to
5rasp the reli5io.s and spirit.al life of the 7ld and @e# Testa3entsG that is #hy e/erythin5 is
#ide of the 3ark in this first 3o/e3entC and the Theosophical $o/e3ent has the task of
3akin5 this 5ood and of addin5 #hat #as not 5i/en at first . . . 7ri5inally Theosophy only
ranked the historic =es.s #ith other fo.nders of reli5ion. It ne/er occ.rred to Bla/atsky to
deny the historic =es.sG tho.5h she certainly placed :i3 one h.ndred years earlier. She did
not deny :is eBistenceC 6.t she did not reco5niAe !hrist-=es.sG altho.5h she insti5ated the
3o/e3ent in #hich :e 3ay so3e day 6e kno#nC she #as not a6le herself to reco5niAe
:i3 . . . We /is.aliAe :.P. Bla/atsky as the 6rin5er of a sort of da#n of a ne# li5htG 6.t of
#hat 5ood #o.ld that li5ht 6e if it #ere not to ill.3inate the 3ost i3portant thin5 that 3ankind
has e/er possessed? A Theosophy #hich does not pro/ide the 3eans of .nderstandin5
!hristianity is a6sol.tely /al.eless to o.r present ci/iliAationG 6.t if it sho.ld 6eco3e an
instr.3ent for the .nderstandin5 of !hristianity #e sho.ld then 6e 3akin5 the ri5ht .se of the
instr.3ent . . . 4/erythin5 is in co.rse of de/elop3entC incl.din5 the spirit of Bla/atsky. :er
spirit is no# #orkin5 in the spirit.al #orld to f.rther the pro5ress of the Theosophical
3o/e3entG 6.t if #e sit 6efore her and the 6ook she #roteC sayin5I We #ill raise a
3on.3ent to yo. consistin5 of yo.r o#n #orksC - #ho is it that is 3akin5 her spirit
earth6o.nd? Who is conde3nin5 her not to pro5ress 6eyond #hat she esta6lished on earth?
We o.rsel/es? We re/ere and ackno#led5e her /al.e if e/en as she herself #ent 6eyond her
ti3eC #e also 5o f.rther than she did so lon5 as the 5race r.lin5 the de/elop3ent of the #orld
contin.es to /o.chsafe spirit.al re/elations fro3 the spirit.al #orld . . . 1et .s endea/or to
3ake o.rsel/es capa6le of preparin5 a field in the Theosophical 3o/e3ent in #hich the
i3p.lse of Bla/atsky shall not 6e hindered Cand arrestedC 6.t shall pro5ress to f.rther
de/elop3ent.-
Accordin5 to Dr. SteinerC the t#o later =es.s children #ere 6orn #ithin a fe#
3onths of each other. The Solo3on =es.s-child - that is the one 6orn in the Solo3on line -
#as a reincarnation of &oroasterC #ho #as teacher of Pytha5oras and 5a/e .p his etheric
6ody to $oses and his astral 6ody to :er3es. The &oroaster-Solo3on =es.s-!hild #as
hi5hly talented 6.t lia6le to err.
The @athan =es.s-child #as .ntalented 6.t co.ld speak fro3 6irth. This 6ody #as
tenanted 6y an e5o held 6ack fro3 pre/io.s incarnationC a fra53ent of Ada3 forces .ntainted
6y earthly eBperience and contact #ith the forces of Ahri3anC the e/il po#erG so @athan-
=es.s had an i33ensely lo/in5C self-sacrificin5 dispositionC si3ple and p.re. At the a5e of 12
9a.ta3a B.ddhaC #ho had appeared to the shepherds as the an5el heraldin5 the 6irth of
=es.sC per3eated the astral 6ody of this =es.s #ith his forcesC and the &oroaster-e5o left the
Solo3on-=es.s 6ody and took possession of the @athan-=es.s 6odyC so that at the a5e of 12
this =es.s -increased in #isdo3 and stat.re-. This 6lendin5 of the =es.s-B.ddha-&oroaster
forces co36ined to for3 a 6ody s.ita6le for the .se of the $acrocos3ic !hristC and this
!hrist-indi/id.alityC no h.3an e5oC entered the =es.s-6ody #hen =ohn 6aptiAed it in the
=ordan. +ro3 that ti3e =es.s 6e5an to #ork 3iraclesG 6efore thatC he had 6een co3pletely
i5norant of his 3ission.- This !hrist-SpiritC accordin5 to Dr. SteinerC #as Ah.ra $aAda or
*is/akar3anC #ho accordin5 to :.P.B. is one of the ( Rays of the $ystic S.n - or in other
#ordsC the 3anifestation of a Dhyani B.ddha. 9a.ta3a B.ddha #as -/ested- #ith the po#er
of *is/akar3anC said Dr. SteinerC 6.t the @athan-=es.sC #ho -recei/ed #ithin hi3self the
!hristC- #as not 3erely -in/ested- 6.t -anointed- . . . -filled and sat.rated #ith *is/akar3an-.
There #ere 12 Apostles of the @athan-=es.sC says Dr. Steiner. They had pre/io.sly
reincarnated as -)the ( $acca6ean sons- and the -% sons of $attathiasC 6rothers of =.das
$acca6e.s-. -The 9ospels al#ays relate the tr.th-C he saysG -there is no need to <.i66leC
and people #ill in ti3e 6e led 6y Anthroposophy to take the 9ospels literally-.
The 3inistry of the !hrist c.l3inated in the cr.cifiBion of the =es.s-6ody on April rd in
A.D. . Then there occ.rred the $ystery of the 4/ent of 9ol5othaC -a 3i5hty infl.enceC
6rin5in5 chan5es in the so.ls of 3an-C a da#nin5 realiAation that he can reach and assi3ilate
the Di/ine nat.re in his e5o-conscio.sness. This =es.s-life #as a .ni<.e e/entC not an
incarnation of one of the 3any adept refor3ers. It #as -a cos3ic i3p.lse-C #hich head 6een
-5rad.ally ripenin5 . . . thro.5ho.t the precedin5 cent.ries and deepenin5 in intensity as the
ti3e of the $ystery of 9ol5otha dre# near-. The e/ent #as focaliAed in PalestineC 6.t the
i3p.lse appeared in 3any parts of the earthC and as it da#ned in earthly concernsC it re<.ired
3eetin5 #ith .nderstandin5C 6.t that .nderstandin5 #as not possi6le .ntil after the e/ent
#hich #as in itself the first i3p.lse to#ards .nderstandin5. -What has occ.rred since- has
not 6een -of 5reat i3portance .p to the present ti3e. 4/erythin5 is only no# 6e5innin5-.
There #ill 6e a ret.rn of the !hrist in the 22th cent.ryC -a rene#al of the !hrist-4/ent-C 6.t on
the etheric planeC not the physical planeC #hen !hrist =es.s #ill take o/er fro3 $oses the
office of kar3ic ;.d5e #ho3 the dead 3eet there #hen they cross o/er.
Dr. Steiner applied the na3e !hristian Rosenkre.tA to an indi/id.ality 6orn in the 1th
cent.ryC -an indi/id.ality of eBtraordinary spirit.ality- #ho had li/ed in Palestine at the ti3e of
!hrist. This #as kno#n to the !olle5e of the t#el/e #ise 3en #ho #ere all in incarnation in
the 1th cent.ry. Their n.36er #as 3ade .p of ( #ho #ere respecti/ely the herita5e-6earers
of the fr.its of the ( s.6races of AtlantisC " si3ilarly of the " post-Atlantean or Aryan s.6racesC
and the 12thC -#as 3ore intrinsically intellect.al than the rest and it #as his task to c.lti/ate
and foster the eBternal sciences-. !hristian Rosenkre.tA #as taken as a child and -placed in
the care of the T#el/e at a certain place in 4.rope-C for he had 6een chosen -for the kind of
Initiation de3anded 6y the c.lt.re of the West-C not -a typical Initiation- 6.t -an alto5ether
eBceptional happenin5 . . . a process . . . enacted #hich #ill ne/er 6e repeated in the sa3e
for3-G so -the child 5re# .p #ith the T#el/e aro.nd hi3C and 6eca.se of thisC their #isdo3
#as a6le to strea3 into hi3-C the endo#3ents of the /ario.s planetary po#ers 6ein5
distri6.ted a3on5 the3. The po#ers and #isdo3 of the 12 #ere synthesiAed in hi3 and he
#ent thro.5h a 3eta3orphosis as a yo.n5 3anC acco3panied 6y /iolent or5anic chan5esC
illnessC and tranceG and then he ret.rnedC tellin5 of ne# eBperiences. -There had co3e to
hi3C fro3 the $ystery of 9ol5othaC an eBperience si3ilar to that of Pa.l 6efore Da3asc.s.
There6y it #as possi6le for all the t#el/e #orld-conceptionsC reli5io.s and scientific - and
f.nda3entally there are only t#el/e - to 6e 5athered to5etherC synthesiAed in 7@4-. :is
3ission #as -to create a synthesis of the 12 strea3s of #isdo3 in the sphere of tho.5ht and
to 6rin5 forth the ne# i3p.lse #hich he co.ld then 6e<.eath to the t#el/e #ise 3en #ho
#ere to carry it f.rther-. :e died as a yo.n5 3anC and #as 6orn a5ain in the 1"th cent.ryC
#hen he li/ed o/er 122 years and tra/elled 3.ch -in order to recei/e ane# the #isdo3 #hich
in the pre/io.s life had <.ickened in hi3 the ne# i3p.lse- - the Rosicr.cian i3p.lseC -#hichC
as a kind of essenceC #as to filter into the c.lt.re of o.r ti3es-. It is c.rio.s thatC in conflict
#ith tradition and #ith Bishop 1ead6eater)s clair/oyant reportC $3e. Bla/ataky and Dr.
Steiner 6oth placed !hristian Rosenkre.tA in the 1th cent.ryC and 6oth asserted that =es.s
appeared to hi3 in a 3aterialiAed for3G 6.t other#ise the acco.nts are of a totally conflictin5
character.
The Rosicr.cian i3p.lse takes a different for3 in e/ery cent.ryC said Dr. SteinerC and
-Rosicr.cian inspiration- #as the po#er .nderlyin5 -the early #ritin5s- of :.P. Bla/atsky.
W.P. =.d5e #rote that she herself said that -the T.S. is the child of the Rosicr.cian Society of
the past-. Dr. Steiner inferred that The Anthroposophical Society is the 22th cent.ry for3 of
Rosicr.cianis3C 6.t re6.tted the ri5ht of anyone to d.6 his 3o/e3ent Rosicr.cian.
-----
We ha/e here then three 6odies of teachin5 #ith a 5reat deal in co33on and so3e
inco3pati6ilities and flat contradictions. The ori5inal force of The Theosophical Society #as
to p.t !hristianity in a 3ore 3odest place as one of 3any #orld reli5ionsC #ith no special
clai3 to pre-e3inence. @eo-Theosophy opened a door for !hristian e3phasis 6y identifyin5
the Bodhisatt/a $aitreya #ith =es.sC in the last years of his lifeC and .sin5 the na3e D!hrist-
for an indi/id.alC as #ell as a Po#erC #here the $asters and :.P.B. had al#ays insisted on
.sin5 it only for a Po#er in 3en. Anthroposophy p.ts the =es.s of the 9ospels 6ack in the
centre of the pict.re as a .ni<.e A/atarC to #ho3 B.ddhas are s.6ordinate co#orkersC #ith
9a.ta3aC as a p.pil of !hristian Rosenkre.tAC #illin5ly 5oin5 to $ars to ser/e there in a #ay
si3ilar to that of =es.s on earth. :.P. Bla/atsky clai3ed only to /oice and #rite #hat her
Adept instr.ctors kne# 6oth fro3 secretly preser/ed records and occ.lt po#ers. !.W.
1ead6eater and R.dolf Steiner clai3ed direct psychic o6ser/ation in the Akashic records or
3e3ory of nat.reG 6.t they do not a5ree. Ass.3in5 that the Akashic records eBistC either
Bishop 1ead6eater #as an errant seerC or Dr. Steiner #asC or 6oth of the3 #ere.
$3e. Bla/atsky herself said that there #ere errors in The #ecret &octrine. -@o tr.e
TheosophistC fro3 the 3ost i5norant .p to the 3ost learnedC o.5ht to clai3 infalli6ility for
anythin5 he 3ay say or #rite .pon 7cc.lt 3atters . . . In 3any a #ay . . . those of .s #ho
pretend to teach others 3ore i5norant than o.rsel/es - are all lia6le to err . . . $ore than one
3istake is likely to 6e fo.nd in the present #ork. This cannot 6e helped. +or a lar5e or e/en
a s3all #ork on s.ch a6str.se s.6;ects to 6e entirely eBe3pt fro3 error and 6l.nderC it #o.ld
ha/e to 6e #ritten fro3 its first to its last pa5e 6y a 5reat AdeptC if not 6y an A/atara. B.t so
lon5 as the artist is i3perfectC ho# can his #ork 6e perfect?- She a/erred too that there #as
3.ch 3ore to the 7cc.lt Wisdo3 than she had re/ealedC for she had raised -6.t a s3all
corner of the dark /eil . . . 7.r eBplanations are 6y no 3eans co3plete . . . The #ork is too
5i5antic for any one person to .ndertakeC far 3ore to acco3plish. 7.r 3ain concern has
6een si3ply to prepare the soil-. The fact that Bishop 1ead6eater or Dr. Steiner propo.nd
so3ethin5 that is not #ithin the Bla/atskyan teachin5s is therefore no proof that their
prono.nce3ents are #ron5C or ri5htG nor does conflict #ith her teachin5s pro/e that their
state3ents are #ron5C or that she #as.
These di/er5ent teachin5s present .s #ith a pro6le3 inherent in theosophical st.dy -
the eBercise of discri3inationG and in the co3radeship of a Theosophical 1od5e the tr.th
seeker sho.ld find pro5ressi/e help in discernin5 #hat is i3portant and #hat .ni3portantC in
learnin5 to disenc.36er the 3ind of 6eliefs and to lea/e ;.d53ent s.spended a6o.t that
#hich is s.ppositionary to hi3 ho#e/er fact.al it 3ay 6e to othersC or ho#e/er con/inced they
3ay 6e of its tr.th.
We ha/e to train o.rsel/es to .se do.6t .n6iassedly to test and pro/e that #hich is
presented to .s for acceptance fro3 #hate/er so.rceC so that #e 3ay a/oid the assi3ilation
of errorG to 6e clear and tr.e in tho.5ht and speech a6o.t the /ario.s opinions and 6eliefs
held 6y 3e36ers and friendsC re5ardless of #hether #e o.rsel/es find 5ro.nds to accept then
or notG to decide #hich ideas that see3 pro6a6le #e #ill tentati/ely accept as 6ases for
action to pro/e 6y their #orkin5 and res.lts ho# tr.e they areG to place the faith-po#er of
con/iction .nhesitatin5ly #here o.r o#n kno#led5e #arrants itG andC 6y the poise of free
personal relations and a clear 3indC disenthralled of 6eliefs and #ar3thf.l #ith 5ood#illC to
create the conditions in #hich #e 3ay hearC harken to and heed the .nerrin5 5.idance of the
spirit #ithin.
- Canadian TheosophistC +e6.C $arch-AprilC 10%%
----------------
[11]
Aust'#l$#n S%#n(#l9
E($to'$#l Notes
7The Theosophical #ociety has neer been and neer ,ill be a school of promiscuous
Theurgic rites" But there are do;ens of small occult #ocieties ,hich tal! ery glibly of 'agic(
.ccultism( -osicrucians( Adept's( etc" These profess much( een to giing the !ey to the
2nierse( but end by leading men to a blan! ,all instead of the 7&oor of the 'ysteries"7
These are some of our most insidious foes" 2nder coer of the philosophy of the 8isdom-
-eligion they manage to get up a mystical Cargon ,hich for the time is effectie and enables
them( by the aid of a ery small amount of clairoyance( to fleece the mystically inclined but
ignorant aspirants to the occult( and lead them li!e sheep in almost any direction"7 - :.P.
Bla/atsky
$rs. Besant has paid her eBpected /isit to A.straliaC and a5ain ret.rned to Adyar. -$y
/isitC- re3arked the PresidentC to a ne#spaper inter/ie#erC on lea/in5C -has 6een an interl.de
in 3y #orkC and a /ery .npleasant one.- A.stralian Theosophists #ill one and all re5ret that
the /isit #as not en;oya6le to the PresidentC 6.t they #ill also ha/e to re5ret that it 6ro.5ht
little profit to the3sel/es. Perhaps less to the Society as a #hole.
It 3i5ht 6e 5athered fro3 the President)s re3ark that the /isit #as 3erely an interl.de
in her #orkC that the interests of the Theosophical Society #ere secondary any#ay. That 3ay
acco.nt for the .nfort.nate 3anner in #hich they #ere handled.
Arri/in5 in SydneyC $rs. Besant #as accorded a fine reception 6y 3e36ers
representin5 all factions. She ca3eC it #as hopedC and perhaps reasona6ly eBpectedC as a
peace-3akerC and a ;.dicial chief officerC #illin5 to .se her office to pro3ote har3ony. Alas? it
<.ickly 6eca3e e/ident that the #ord ;.dicial is not one to 6e li5htly applied. $rs. Besant is
certainly not ;.dicial. Perhaps circ.3stances and en/iron3ent 3ake s.ch an attit.de
i3possi6leG <.ite possi6ly indi/id.al te3pera3ent 3ay.
---------
$rs. BesantC at her o#n re<.estC 3et the Sydney 1od5e 4Bec.ti/e a co.ple of days
6efore her first 5eneral 3e36ers) 3eetin5. Se/eral of those present at this 4Bec.ti/e
3eetin5 told her she en;oyed their confidenceC 6.t that neither $r. 1ead6eater nor $r.
Wed5#ood did. She 6l.ntly told the3 that .nless they 6elie/ed in $r. 1ead6eater they co.ld
not 6elie/e in herC a dark sayin5G #hich they are no do.6t stilt ponderin5.
Possi6ly this attit.de is associated #ith the President)s fre<.ently iterated clai3 that
she speaks as an occ.ltist. Wo.ld to hea/en that $rs. Besant #o.ld speak and act as a
#o3anC and a #o3an of co33on-sense at that. The T.S. as s.ch does not kno# -occ.ltists-
as any /ariety of office-6earer. It has 6een told that $r. 1ead6eater is an occ.ltistC 6oth 6y the
President and 6y hi3selfC 6.t it is not i3pressed. !onfronted 6y a 3e36er of the 4Bec.ti/e
in <.estion #ith state3ents #hich #o.ld s.55est to a #ise President so3ethin5 in the for3 of
a little <.iet in/esti5ationC the President r.dely repliedC -I don)t 6elie/e yo..-
Asked if she had seen the +arrer confessionC and #as a#are of the resi5nation of $r.
Wed5#ood as a conse<.ence of itC she told the 4Bec.ti/e that +arrer #as an hystericC #ho
3ade confessions and #ithdre# the3C and that $r. Wed5#ood sho.ld not ha/e resi5nedC and
she had told hi3 so. It appears that in 1010 +arrer 3ade a /er6al confessionC 6.t #as
terrorised 6y representati/es of the 4soteric Section into #ithdra#in5 it. $rs. Besant)s
state3ent #as taken to refer to the #ritten and attested confession of +e6r.ary of this year
E1022FC and a ca6le5ra3 #as sent to 1ondon to ascertain if this had 6een #ithdra#n. The
reply ca3e 6ack pro3ptlyI -Positi/ely not #ithdra#nG a6.ndant confir3in5 e/idence
a/aila6le.- $rs. BesantC as PresidentC 3i5ht ha/e 6een satisfied #ith thisC 6.t $rs. BesantC as
occ.ltistC p.t the 5lass to the 6lind eyeC and a co.ple of days laterC addressin5 3e36ers of the
T.S.C told the 3eetin5 that s.ch char5es as #ere 3ade a5ainst her prote5es sho.ld 6e taken
to the police.
-------------
The &aily Telegraph ESydneyF one of the 3ost #idely read of the 6etter class daily
ne#spapers of A.straliaC ha/in5 a5encies all o/er the #orldC 5a/e p.6lic eBpression to the
horror and dis5.st of 3e36ers at this senti3ent of the Society)s President. Before a #eek
#as o/er the Depart3ent of =.stice had 6een forced to direct a police en<.iry into the relation
of $r. 1ead6eater #ith his 6oy follo#in5. 4/idence at s.ch an en<.iry cannot 6e enforcedC
and it hardly see3s likely that any finality #ill 6e reached .nder these circ.3stancesG 6.t
#hat a reflection is it on the 3oral sense of the Theosophical Society that 6eca.se it #ill not
deal #ith its o#n honor the p.6lic press sho.ld 3ake it feel asha3ed of itself.
ThenC as #ill appear else#here in this iss.eC $rs. Besant has 3ost .nfort.nately left
o.r shores #ith a falsehood .pon her lips.
---------
7ne res.lt of the ne#spaper contro/ersyC #hich lasted a fortni5htC and lead to the
p.6lication of letters eBpressin5 e/ery shade of opinionC #as the action of a pro3inent
Sydney 6arrister and eB-;.d5eC $r. A.B. Piddin5tonC >.!. This 5entle3an resi5ned fro3 the
presidency of the Hni/ersity P.6lic P.estions !o33ittee rather than #elco3e $rs. BesantC
and #rote at len5th to the &aily Telegraph re/ie#in5 the $adras !o.rt cases in 101. To the
first letter $rs. Besant repliedC and her reply called forth a f.rther letter fro3 $r. Piddin5tonC
#hich has res.rrected all the old -1ead6eater scandals- and /i/ified the3 #ith ne# life.
:itherto 3ost 3e36ers of the T.S. ha/e accepted $rs. Besant)s state3ents a6o.t the $adras
trials on the ass.3ption that they #ere relia6le. $r. Piddinton p.ts in entirely ne# aspect on
the caseC as the follo#in5 eBtracts fro3 his letter sho#I
7An )mmoral /erson"7
$rs. Besant 5oes on to say that $r. 1ead6eater #as cleared of the acc.sation of
i33orality in the $adras !o.rt. That is si3ply the dia3etrical opposite of the tr.th. There
#asC indeedC another and different char5e to #hich I #ill not all.deC /iA.C -3iscond.ct to#ards
the 6oys too indecent to 6e 5i/en orallyC and therefore #ritten do#n for the !o.rt-
E-The Ti3es-F. It #as that other 3iscond.ct alone #hich $r. =.stice Bake#ell fo.nd -had not
6een esta6lishedC- #hile in the sa3e sentence he p.ts the indeli6le ;.dicial sta3p .pon $r.
1ead6eater that -fro3 his o#n e/idence he is certainly an i33oral person.-
'rs" Besant's Bro!en /ledge
@eBtC $rs. Besant says that she 3ade no stip.lation -6efore partin5C #ith the 6oys-
that they sho.ld not ha/e anythin5 to do #ith $r. 1ead6eater. $rs. Besant says that she has
not -The Ti3es- 6efore herG 6.t -there 3.st 6e so3e error in the <.otation as 5i/en.- In
other #ordsC #itho.t seein5 the ori5inalC she acc.ses a critic of 3is<.otation. -The Ti3es-
saysI -:is 1ordship also eBpressed the opinion that 6efore partin5 #ith the 6oys the plaintiff
Ethe fatherF had stip.lated #ith $rs. Besant that they sho.ld not ha/e anythin5 to do #ith $r.
1ead6eaterC and this stip.lation she had /iolated.-
I ha/e ;.st disco/ered thatC on =.ne 2C 101C $rs. Besant #rote to -The Ti3es- to
challen5e its reportC and did not then i3peach its correctness as to #hat $r. =.stice 7ldfield a
fe# #eeks later descri6ed as her o#n -de/iation fro3 co33on honesty.- 8et nine years
after#ards she is confident that her critic is in error?
/riy Council %udgment"
1ast and 3ost la3enta6le distortion of allC $rs. Besant says that the $adras decision
#as held 6y the Pri/y !o.ncil to 6e 6ad in la#C -as the #elfare of 3y #ards #as the pri3ary
3atterC the father ha/in5 constit.ted 3e their 5.ardianG they #ere therefore restored to 3y
c.stody.- 7ne #o.ld think fro3 this that the Pri/y !o.ncil /indicated her action in keepin5 the
6oys .nder $r. 1ead6eater. @ot e/en an 7riental fa6.list co.ld s#in5 f.rther fro3 the centre
of tr.th than this. $r. 1ead6eater and his seB-teachin5 are ne/er e/en 3entioned 6y the
Pri/y !o.ncilC and the #hole ;.d53ent t.rns on the technical points that the father had
concei/ed his action 6y 6rin5in5 it in an Indian !o.rtG and #hile the 6oys #ere in 4n5land
and #ere not represented. The Pri/y !o.ncil r.led that the $adras !o.rt)s order #as #ron5
in these technical respectsC and that the father o.5ht to ha/e 6ro.5ht his s.it in 4n5landC and
co.ld still do so. $rs. Besant s.cceeded in retainin5 the c.stody of the 6oysC not on the
3erits of the s.itC 6.t on the le5al distinction I ha/e 3entioned. S.ch <.estions as $r.
1ead6eater)s .nfitness or $rs. Besant)s 6roken pled5e co.ld ha/e 6een raised in the 4n5lish
!o.rt had the father 6e5.n liti5ation afresh. B.t on s.ch <.estions the Pri/y !o.ncil said
si3plyI -Their 1ordships do not consider it desira6le to eBpress any opinion of their o#n.-
E1.R. "1 Indian AppealsC 2".F
The father #as -not #ell offC ha/in5 only a6o.t 11'2 per a.n.3- Ep. 1%F. :e had to
pay the costs of the Pri/y !o.ncil appeal and of three Indian co.rts. @o #onder he did not
start a fresh s.it in 4n5land.
The #acerdotal .rder"
@o#C as to persons hi5h in the reli5io.s order 6ein5 a6o/e criticis3 6y co33on
peopleC that appears constantly in $rs. Besant)s actions and speeches. She said to the
father in the $adras case that -$r. 1ead6eater #as an ArhatC and not to 6e talked a6o.t
li5htly.- The sa3e opinion 6reathes thro.5ho.t her letter to $r. $artynC and in a report of her
>in5)s :all speechC #hich her chair3an has praised for its fairnessC she traced the
eBperi3ents of hi5her persons Ea/oidin5 -the dan5er of i5norance-F thro.5h ad3iration to
;ealo.sy and finally hatredC and saidC -I point this o.t 6eca.se of the present cr.el persec.tion
in re5ard to the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch.-
Trial by /ublic 'eeting"
$rs. Besant says that she does not 6elie/e in trial 6y p.6lic 3eetin5. 8et it #as 6y ;.st
s.ch a trial at the >in5)s :all only a #eek a5o that $rs. Besant proc.red the conde3nation of
$r. 1ead6eater)s acc.sers #itho.t e/idenceC his na3e 6ein5 adroitly 6racketed #ith hers in
an eBpression of confidence.
I therefore #ithdra# nothin5 of #hat I ha/e #rittenC 6.t I #ill add instead that $rs.
Besant)s letter carries her 6eyond the s.ppression of tr.thC a5ainst #hich I first protested.
These so36re facts stand o.tI
1. $rs. Besant)s chief collea5.e here stated as late as 101 in open !o.rt that he still
6elie/ed in teachin5 detesta6le /ice to 6oysC #hich he had pre/io.sly ta.5ht the3.
2. An 4n5lish ;.d5e for this reason declared hi3 to 6e an i33oral person.
. $r. $artyn acc.sed $r. 1ead6eater of 6ein5 still #hat the 4n5lish ;.d5e said of hi3C
and alle5ed fact .pon fact in s.pport of this.
". $rs. Besant has shielded $r. 1ead6eater fro3 in<.iry.
%. $r. 1ead6eater says nothin5.
- 8o.rsC etc.C
A.B. Piddin5ton
- &a,nC =.lyC 1022
---------------------
[12]
CO&&ESPONDENCE9 Le#(:e#te'3s !O%%ult Cem$st';!
The follo#in5 letter relates to the 6ook .ccult ChemistryC a re/ised edition of #hich
#as p.6lished 6y The Theosophical P.6lishin5 :o.seC AdyarC in 10%1. We had fondly hoped
- 6.t in /ainC as it t.rns o.t - that this 3aterial #o.ld ha/e re3ained <.ietly 6.ried in its
ori5inal 1010 edition .ntil it #as for5otten. :o#e/erC it has 6een reincarnated in <.arto siAe
prof.selyC ill.stratedC containin5 02 pa5esC price a6o.t K11.22. The ne# edition #as re/ised
6y $r. =inara;adasaG parts of the ori5inal ha/e 6een o3itted and notes ha/e 6een added on
later Din/esti5ations) 3ade 6y $r. 1ead6eater.
It is .nfort.nate that o.r correspondent)s eBa3ination of the so.rces fro3 #hich the
6asic ideas of .ccult Chemistry #ere dra#nC has led hi3 to resi5n fro3 the Society.
Do.6tless the disclos.res #ere 6.t the last stra#s #hich finally 3o/ed the scale. $r. Barratt
is a deep st.dent of The #ecret &octrineC a sta.nchC o.tspoken s.pporter of :.P.B.C and an
.nco3pro3isin5 opponent of the lo#er psychis3 #hich has per3eated the Theosophical
SocietyC Adyar. The Society cannot afford to lose 3e36ers of $r. Barratt)s standin5 and his
resi5nation #ill 6e re5retted 6y all those 3e36ers #ho are endea/orin5 to restore the
presti5e of Theosophy 6y sti3.latin5 interest in the st.dy of the real 6asic Theosophical
literat.re. $r. Barratt still is and #ill contin.e to 6e a 3e36er of the one Theosophical
$o/e3entC #hose 3e36ers all are 6o.nd to5ether as 6rother disciples in their co33on
adherence to the ori5inal 3essa5e of Theosophy.
They are a#are that there is a f.nda3ental and irreconcila6le difference of approach
6et#een the re/elations 5i/en o.t 6y $r. 1ead6eaterC and the teachin5s of the $asters and
their a5entC :.P. Bla/atsky. In St. Pa.l)s #ordsC the first is of the earthC earthyG the second is
the 1ord fro3 hea/en. In the opinion of 3any st.dentsC $r. 1ead6eater #as a psychic #ho
ne/er ad/anced 6eyond the li3its of lo#er psychis3C the plane of astral for3sC s.6tle and
ill.si/e. It is tr.e that his 6ooks eBpress 3any eBalted idealsC 3any no6le teachin5s - it #o.ld
6e i3possi6le to #rite on Theosophy #itho.t carryin5 for#ard so3e parts at least of the
$essa5e - 6.t his en5rossin5 interest #as in psychis3. :is 3ind #as not 3etaphysicalG
#here :.P.B. and the $asters spoke of a6stract PrinciplesC $r. 1ead6eater sa# only
3ar/elo.s Bein5sC 5odsC de/asC ele3entals and the likeG #here they presented the ancient
doctrine of the di/ine self #ithin the shrine of the heartC and stated that the 5reat #ork of 3an
#as to realiAe that di/inity 6y self-i3posed disciplines of p.rification and aspirationC $r.
1ead6eater on the contrary co.nseled the .se of cere3oniesC the 6.rnin5 of incenseC the
in/ocation of astral 6ein5sC the perfor3ance of 3a5ical rites to control eBterior forces. The
3any differences 6et#een the t#o attit.des ha/e 6een the s.6;ect of articles andC 6ooklets
and #e do not #ish to enlar5e .pon eBa3ples here.
The freedo3 of eBpression and 6elief #hich the Society 5.arantees to all its 3e36ers
5a/e $r. 1ead6eater the ri5ht to hold his pec.liar opinions and to state the3. Hnfort.nately
these opinions ha/e co3e to 6e re5arded as a.thoritati/e 6y the 3a;ority of the 3e36ers of
the Adyar Theosophical Society. They are re;ected 6y the 3e36ers of the other Theosophical
Societies and 6y the steadily 5ro#in5 n.36er of Theosophists #ho are not affiliated #ith any
Society. The n.36er of these is 6ein5 increased 6y st.dents like $r. BarrattC #ho feel that
they sho.ld not re3ain in an or5aniAation #hich calls itself theosophical and yet has 3o/ed
so far a#ay fro3 the ori5inal so.rce of Theosophy.
We are therefore 5lad to p.6lish $r. Barratt)s letter in the hope that it #ill enco.ra5e
other 3e36ers to take tho.5htG to 5o 6ack and reread #ith 3ore critical eyes the 6ooks
#hich they ha/e accepted heretoforeG if .pon a detached re-eBa3ination they find the3 no
lon5er satisfyin5C then to t.rn to the 5reat so.rce 6ooks of TheosophyC The 'ahatma Letters(
The #ecret &octrine and other #ritin5s of :.P.B. to disco/er for the3sel/es #hat Theosophy
really is.
-------
The 4ditorC
The !anadian Theosophist.
Dear $r. 4ditorC
:a/in5 recently 6een in/ited to eBa3ine 4d#in D. Ba66itt)s 6ookC The /rinciples of
Light and ColorC @.8. 1,(,C I fo.nd that the 1ead6eater clai3s to ori5inality in the 3atter of
ato3s ha/e no fo.ndation in sincerityC and the dia5ra3s displayed in .ccult Chemistry( 1irst
/rinciples of Theosophy and other #orks are direct pla5iaris3s fro3 the #ork of $r. Ba66itt.
I ha/e #ithdra#n fro3 s.ch a fake set.p of the real Ancient Wisdo3 in dis5.stC and
prefer to keep a#ay fro3 any s.ch Dsocieties) to cond.ct 3y st.dies of the ori5inal #orks of
the $asters and :.P. Bla/atsky aloneC and free fro3 s.ch a 6ef.ddled 3ess. Perhaps yo.
#o.ld like to <.ote so3e of 3y reasons to yo.r readers.
+IRST 4QP4RI$4@TSI
P.otin5 fro3 $r. Sinnett)s introd.ction to .ccult Chemistry Ep. 1C 1010 editionF #e
readI -:e #asC <.ite #illin5 to tryC and I s.55ested a 3olec.le of 5old as one #hich he
E!.W.1.F 3i5ht try to o6ser/e.-
:e 3ade the appropriate effortC and e3er5ed fro3 it sayin5 the 3olec.le in <.estion
#as far too ela6orate a str.ct.re to 6e descri6ed. EIt #ill 6e i3portant to recall this assertion
later.F
-I s.55ested an ato3 of hydro5en as possi6ly 3ore 3ana5ea6le - this ti3e he fo.nd
the ato3 of hydro5en to 6e far si3pler than the otherC so that the 3inor Dato3s) constit.tin5
the hydro5en #ere co.nta6le - they #ere 1, in n.36er.-
7n pa5e 11 of the sa3e #ork it statesC -. . . the che3ical ato3 is for3edC and #e find it
to contain in all ei5hteen .lti3ate physical ato3s.-
These are the ones 3entioned on pa5e 2 as D3inor) ato3sC so let it 6e stored fir3ly in
3ind lest the fin5erprints of e/idence 6eco3e o6sc.red.
When the all i3portant <.estion of -.lti3ate ato3s- is .sed to ill.strate 3atters f.rther
aheadC the reader #ill helpf.lly recall this.
We enco.nter neBt the state3ents castin5 the first shado# of s.spicion .pon the
#hole 3atterC for on pa5e 2 of .ccult Chemistry it is statedC - -#e little realiAed at the 3o3ent
the enor3o.s si5nificance of this disco/ery E?F 3ade in the year 1,0% lon5 6efore . . - etc.
Is this a tr.thf.l and sincere state3ent? 4ither it is a pretentio.s lie or an .tterly
irresponsi6le state3ent and .tterly disre5ardin5 the fact that 4d#in D. Ba66itt p.6lished in
@e# 8ork a 6ook containin5 the detailed pict.re here reprod.ced of the sa3e ato3s for3.
.ccult Chemistry E1010 editionF e/en contains the re3ark on pa5e 12 that the 6ookC
The /rinciples of Light and ColorC @.8. 1,(,C contains a dra#in5 #hich -3ay 6e taken as
correct- and is a -fairly acc.rate dra#in5-.
:o# co.ld any sane #riter e/en hint at ori5inality in s.ch a case? Why has $r.
=inara;adasa re3o/ed this reference to the #ork of Ba66itt in his re/ised edition of .ccult
Chemistry?
Ret.rnin5 to o.r eBa3ination of the 3ethods e3ployed 6y 1ead6eater and his /ery
ela6orate eBplanations of act.al techni<.eC #e find that he .nconscio.sly 6etrays hi3self
fro3 the start - he #as ne/er /ery intelli5entG and certainly ne/er had a spark of ori5inality as
a thinker.
It is a3aAin5 to the #riter that all the contro/ersy o/er !.W.1. has ne/er prod.ced a
kno#n criticis3 of his Dato3-3icroscope).
It is in this depart3ent of /anity that the cat sho#s a le5C and the childish nonsense of
the #hole thin5 is re/ealed.
T:4 $I!R7S!7P4 $8T:
It is not proposed here to decide #hether the D!hro3o-$entalis3) of Ba66ittC or the
D7cc.lt !he3istry) of !.W.1. are facts or pla5iaris3sC 6.t 6y the f.llest analysis of
1ead6eater)s o#n #ords in his /aried #ritin5sC #e 3i5ht
---------
33&ra,ing here: Babbitt's Atom( >DED 1ig" >F@" The general 1orm of an Atom( including the
spirals and >st #pirillae( together ,ith influ6 and efflu6 ethers( represented by dots( ,hich
pass throught these spirillae" The =nd and Frd spirillae ,ith their still finer ethers are not
sho,n"44
---------
catch hi3 ;.3pin5 off his o#n shado# for the 6enefit of cred.lo.s old ladiesC and ne.rotically
fr.strated sensation seekers.
It is <.ite possi6le that Ba66itt is correct in his esti3ate of the approBi3ate siAe of the
ato3C /iA. 2%2C222C222 to %22C222C222 of these to eBtend o/er the len5th of one inch. This
#o.ld 3ean ro.5hly that an ordinary h.3an hair #o.ld contain 122C222 in its #idth.
Try to i3a5ine this 3in.teness 6y di/idin5 a hair into t#oC fo.rC ei5htC siBteen and so on
.ntil a tho.sandth of it is reached. Di/ide this a5ain 6y tenC and a5ain 6y tenC and then one
#ill ha/e arri/ed at the siAe 1ead6eater clai3s to see clair/oyantlyC yo.C 6y the #ayC can only
i3a5ine this siAe if 5eni.s rei5ns #ithin.
All this 3ay 6e possi6le in an adeptC 6.t in a later series of eBa3ples #e can sho#
1ead6eater contradictin5 the Adept teachin5 itselfC and one feels stron5ly that he affects to
eBercise a fac.lty #hich really is possi6le at a le/el of real and esoteric proficiencyC 6.t #hich
he is 3erely affectin5 to .nderstand in order to i3press the incred.lo.s.
Therefore the #hole point in e/okin5 an i3a5inati/e 5rasp of s.ch 3in.tenessC one
h.ndred tho.sandth part of the #idth of a sin5le hairC is to 3ake ready for otherC and 3ore
a#k#ard co3plications #hich #ill .lti3ately cancel 1ead6eater)s techni<.e into a6s.rdity
P.otin5 fro3 his )nner LifeC pp. 1(-1,C /ol. 2C #e read - -Another interestin5 po#er is
that of 3a5nification. There are t#o 3ethods of 3a5nification #hich 3ay 6e .sed in
connection #ith the clair/oyant fac.lty. 7ne is si3ply an intensification of ordinary si5ht.-
This in condensed for3 is the po#er to di/ert li5ht E?F fro3 the rods and conesC and
direct it to the etheric 3atter of the eye.
:e s.55ests that 6y concentratin5 it in a fe# particlesC or e/en in one particleC he
achie/es a si3ilarity of siAe #ith an o6;ect he #ishes to o6ser/e. :o# si3ilarity of siAe can
achie/e 3a5nification is e/idently a part of his o#n i3a5inati/e esotericis3C - he adds that in
o.r ordinary /ision -the /i6rations set .p are 6y no 3eans thoro.5hly .nderstood-? We can
skip all this st.ff in a h.rry to reach the second 3ethod #hich he hails as s.perior.
<It sho.ld 6e re3e36ered that it is not the possi6ility of an ato3 actin5 as a 3a5nifier #hich
#e disp.teC 6.t that
-------
33&ra,ing here appro6imately identical to the Babbitt atom" L5A&B5AT5-'# AT.'( >D?@44
-----------
1ead6eater)s conception and renderin5 of it is so anae3ic. The second 3ethod reads -
-A 3ethod 3ore co33only .sedC 6.t re<.irin5 so3e#hat hi5her de/elop3entC is to
e3ploy the special fac.lty of the centre 6et#een the eye6ro#s. +ro3 the central portion of
this can 6e pro;ected #hat #e 3ay call a tiny 3icroscopeC ha/in5 for its lens only one ato3.
In this #ay #e can prod.ce an or5an co33ens.rate in siAe #ith the 3in.te o6;ect to 6e
o6ser/ed. The ato3 3ay 6e either physicalC astralC or 3entalC 6.t #hiche/er it is it needs a
special preparation. All its spirillae 3.st 6e opened .pC and 6ro.5ht into f.ll #orkin5 orderC so
that it is ;.st as it #ill 6e in the se/enth ro.nd of o.r chain. This po#er 6elon5s to the ca.sal
6odyC so if an ato3 of the lo#er le/el 6e .sed as an eyepiece a syste3 of reflectin5
co.nterparts 3.st 6e introd.ced.-
We co33ent 6y o6ser/in5 that as 1ead6eater)s idea of the planetary chain does not
a5ree #ith that of the Adept teachersC he is likely at short notice to create 6oth 3icroscopes
and .ni/erses to s.it his fancy.
:a/in5 5i/en 1ead6eater his f.ll sayC #e 3.st proceed to check the ter3 -ato3- and
eBactly #hich ato3 is 6ein5 consideredC 6eca.se in the initial in/esti5ations there #as
3ention of -3inor ato3s- and in the ne# .ccult Chemistry $r. =inara;adasa chan5ed the
#ord to -Ann- #hich a5ain is 3erely Sanskrit for ato3. It is certainly not the che3ical ato3.
!heckin5 on pa5e 1,2 /ol. 2 )nner Life #e find -When for eBperi3ental p.rposes #e
6reak .p a che3ical ato3 into physical .lti3ate ato3s- and a5ain in .ccult Chemistry itselfC
pa5e 21 E1010 ed.F it says - -As the #ords D.lti3ate physical ato3) 3.st fre<.ently occ.rC it is
necessary to state #hat #e 3ean 6y the phrase. Any 5aseo.s che3ical ato3 3ay 6e
dissociated into less co3plicated 6odiesG these a5ain into still less co3plicatedC etc. - the
fo.rth dissociation 5i/es the .lti3ate physical ato3??-
Th.s #e ha/e arri/ed at final certainty that this .lti3ate physical ato3 is the one #hich
in the earlier eBperi3ents #ith Sinnett #as fo.nd -<.ite too co3plicated in their arran5e3ent
to 6e co3prehended.- E7.!. 2F
T:4 $I!R7S!7P4 4QP17D4D
If the ato3s #ere co.nta6leC 6.t -too co3plicated in their arran5e3ent to 6e
co3prehended- ho# did 1ead6eater see these ato3s if they the3sel/es #ere the /ery ato3s
he #as s.pposed to 6e lookin5 thro.5h in his 3icroscope? :o# did he kno# they had
Spirillae?
The lens in the end of his etheric t.6e 3icroscope #as asserted to 6e s.ch an ato3
itself? 8et he #as here settin5 o.t to o6ser/e s.ch an ato3 for the cred.lo.s $rC SinnettC
#itho.t the 3eans to see it ?
:o# pitif.l and painf.l all this isC and s.rely the 6i55est -5oose6all- in the #hole
s.pposed techni<.e of 1ead6eater. S.rely $r. Sinnett #o.ld ha/e asked hi3self ho#
1ead6eater arran5ed in any case to separate his o#n 6reath fro3 the ato3 of hydro5en he
#as s.pposed to 6e o6ser/in5.
---------
33&ra,ing here: 1ig >FF" /iece of Atomic #piral ,ith >
st
( =nd and Grd #pirillae" &5TA)L .1
BABB)TT'# AT.'44
---------
The s.rro.ndin5 air alone contains se/eral 5asesG ho# !.W.1. rid hi3self of theseC
and the oBy5en #ithin the airC #ith its attendant hydro5enC #o.ld a#aken the c.riosity of
anyone not #holly a6sor6ed in the etheric E?F 3icroscopeC #hichC if the #riter)s calc.lations
are ri5ht #o.ld 6e so3ethin5 in the re5ion of 1C222th of an inch in len5th.
:o# #o.ld s.ch a pre/io.sly esti3ated 3in.te series of ato3s 6e ri55ed .p in the
t.6e #ith the 3etic.lo.s eBactit.de re<.ired to confor3 to correct foc.sC and the principles of
refraction?
1ead6eater #ill still contin.e to recei/e #orship 6y 3e36ers #ho 3ay still assert -I
don)t care #hat yo.r lo5ic says or yo.r e/idence in/ol/esC 1ead6eater #as clair/oyant - he
sa# these thin5s - and yo. are 3erely a po3po.s i5nora3.s lackin5 an D7cc.lt) 6ack5ro.nd.
:o# dare yo.?-
-When did !.W.1. e/er s.6;ect hi3self to a testC- #e 3ay retortC and <.ote the re3ark
of Dr. Stokes of Washin5tonC D.!. - -It is notorio.s that 1ead6eater - despite all his talk a6o.t
his po#ers has persistently declined to p.t the3 to the si3plest test - one is co3pelled to
la.5h at this s.6conscio.s fiction factory- ."5"L" Critic. It is .seless for his adorin5 chelas to
pooh pooh the state3ents a6o.t the -.lti3ate ato3- or to hide the #hole 3ess .nder the ter3
-An.-. The state3ents 3ade in 1,0% are repeated 1% years later on pa5e 1,2 /ol. 2 of the
)nner Life"
As $r. =inara;adasa o3its the references to Ba66itt in his 3odern opti3is3 a6o.t the
3erits of .ccult Chemistry he pro6a6ly arri/ed at other and pri/ate concl.sions a6o.t
1ead6eater not yet p.6lished.
The in;.nction of :.P. Bla/atsky cannot 6e repeated too often #here she says
-!onse<.ently .nless the clair/oyant or seer can 5et 6eyond this plane of ill.sionC he can
ne/er see the tr.thC 6.t #ill 6e dro#ned in an ocean of self deception and hall.cination.-
We can dis3iss 1ead6eater as a fakeC and to <.ote :.P.B. a5ain - -rest his shell-.
8o.rs tr.lyC
9raha3e W. Barratt.
21 :asle3ere A/e.C
4ast BarnetC 4n5land.
-------

$r. Barratt)s letter opens .p the #hole <.estion of the /alidity of $r. 1ead6eater)s clai3
to eBtraordinary psychic po#ers. This <.estion is ta6oo in certain circlesC 6.t #hen it is
raisedC the 3atter sho.ld 6e eBa3ined #ith detach3ent and #ith a sincere desire to arri/e at
a correct e/al.ation of $r. 1ead6eater)s #ritin5s. The contents of his 6ooks sho.ld 6e
dissociated fro3 the alle5ed Da.thority) of $r. 1ead6eater)s .tterances. Who 5a/e $r.
1ead6eater this a.thority? $r. 1ead6eater hi3selfG he #as the one #ho thro.5ho.t his
#ritin5s clai3ed to speak fro3 the /anta5e point of an ad/anced occ.ltist. $rs. Besant
s.pported hi3 in thisC 6.t it 3.st 6e re3e36ered that $rs. Besant #as not a psychic Eas
:.P.B. herself statedF. The ori5inal Lucifer article of 1,0% on .ccult Chemistry indicated that
$rs. Besant had then 3ade her first eBc.rsion into psychic real3s.
1,0% #as the critical year in Theosophical historyG the fra53entation of the one .nited
Society into 3.t.ally eBcl.si/e 5ro.ps dates fro3 then. St.dents of Theosophical history
ha/e noted that it #as only after $rs. Besant)s char5es in 1,0% a5ainst $r. =.d5e had
res.lted in the for3ation of a separate society in A3ericaC that $rs. Besant 6eca3e
associated #ith $r. 1ead6eater in psychic affairs. $.ch of the inner history of that period is
not #ritten do#n. :o#e/erC it is si5nificant to note that in a later chapter of The /rinciples of
Light and ColorC a 6ook #hich #as .ndo.6tedly in $r. 1ead6eater)s possessionC 3ethods are
o.tlined for infl.encin5 other persons. 7ne sentence readsC -When con/enient it is <.ite
desira6le to ha/e a person #ho is already #ell char5ed #ith these fine forces and #ho can
hi3self see clair/oyantlyC 3ake passes o/er the head do#n#ard and especially o/er the eyes
and forehead and th.s i3part his o#n po#er to the s.6;ect.- In all the circ.3stances of that
tra5ic period is it too 3.ch to infer that $r. 1ead6eater did .se these 3ethods to ind.ce $rs.
Besant to 6elie/e that she too sa# the i3a5es #hich $r. 1ead6eater clai3ed he sa#? This
3ay 6e a cl.e to the #hole p.AAlin5 <.estion of the relationship 6et#een $rs. Besant and $r.
1ead6eater - 6.t this is 5ettin5 a 6it a#ay fro3 the i33ediate s.6;ect.
+ro3 the portion of Ba66itt)s 6ook relatin5 to the ato3C $r. 1ead6eater took the
follo#in5 ite3sI
1. The o6late o/oid shape of the ato3.
2. its 6asic str.ct.reC
. the spiral lines of forceC
". the finer spirillae in the 3a;or spiralsC
%. the concept of etheric force enterin5 the ato3 thro.5h the heart shaped depression
at the top and eBitin5 fro3 the opposite endC
'. the concept of 5rades of Dether) #hich enterin5 the ato3C i3part to it its rotary
3otionC
(. the concept of colors associated #ith the lines of force in the ato3.
Ba66itt #rote in 1,(,C lon5 6efore science had any idea of the inner str.ct.re of the
ato3 and lon5 6efore Dn.clear physics) #as tho.5ht of. Ba66itt)s ato3 for3 cannot 6e
reconciled #ith any 3odern scientific disco/eries on the nat.re of the ato3C 6.t ho#e/er
3.ch one 3ay disa5ree #ith Ba66ittC one 3.st ad3it that in the portion of his len5thy 6ook
#hich relates to ato3ic str.ct.reC he #as caref.l to present his concl.sions as hypotheses
onlyC Dit #o.ld appear)C Dit is reasona6le to s.ppose)C )st.dy indicates that this 3.st 6e so)C etc.C
etc. @o s.ch scientific 3odesty infl.enced $r. 1ead6eater - he sa, the ato3C and not only
the ato3C the 2%2 3illionth part of an inchC 6.t also sa# all the infinitely s3aller 3in.tiae of its
spirals and spirillae.
It is .nfort.nate that the 6ook has 6een re/i/ed and that it #as p.6lished 6y The
Theosophical P.6lishin5 :o.se. +or the sake of the rep.tation of the SocietyC the ad/ertisin5
of the 6ook in rep.ta6le scientific ;o.rnalsC s.ch as @at.reC sho.ld 6e discontin.ed forth#ith.
- Canadian TheosophistC Sept.C 10%
------------------------
[1*]
OU& DELUDED /&ETH&EN
Who a3 I to speak of a fello# st.dent as del.ded? That is a <.estion one 3.st ask
oneselfC and ask of others alsoC and the ans#er lies a3on5 one)s o#n actions. By their fr.its
yo. shall kno# the3. There cannot 6e t#o ri5hts #here direct contradictions are in <.estion.
The fail.re to see this 3ay 6e the res.lt of i5noranceC or of 3istakesC or of 3is.nderstandin5C
or of anythin5 else that o.r charity 3ay s.55est. 7r it 3ay 6e the res.lt of foolish falsehoodC
of 6ad ;.d53entC or of the ina6ility of the .nde/eloped 3ind to reco5niAe tr.th #hen one has it
placed 6efore hi3. +ro3 one or another of these ca.ses the differences eBistC and they lead
to 3.ch 6itternessC e/il speakin5C and e/en hatred. Also to 3.ch foolish and .n;.st action.
>ar3a of co.rse #ill ad;.st all in;.sticeC 6.t fe# are philosophical eno.5h to a#ait the
day of reckonin5C #hich 3ay 6e delayed for a cent.ryC like the instance in the case of the
early life of DickensC 3entioned else#here in these pa5es.
We are s.pposed as Theosophical st.dents to 6e ea5er in the search for tr.thC 6.t o.r
ea5erness is too often satisfied #ith infor3ationC and 3any of .s do not stop to consider
#hether the infor3ation is relia6leC or /al.a6leC or 3erely talkC and of no conse<.ence. In
s.ch cases .ntrained 3inds clin5 fast to #hat 3ay interest the3 or #hat 3ay appear to
eBplain so3e of their diffic.ltiesC or perhaps 3erely 6eca.se their infor3ant #as pla.si6le and
attracti/e and a3.sin5 or ;.st -s.ch a nice- person.
They for5et that the $asters ha/e ass.red .sC and #e 3ay /erify this to a certain
eBtentC that nothin5 they tell .s is disclosed that has not 6een tested and in/esti5ated and
corro6orated 6y 5enerations of Adepts thro.5h tho.sands of years. 8et #e find dro/es of
people acceptin5 the 3ost a6s.rd state3entsC alon5 #ith .nlikely and i3pro6a6le theories
and concl.sions 6y so-called a.thorities #itho.t any in/esti5ation at all and #itho.t any
corro6oration #hate/er. 4/en contradictions of state3ents 6y the $asters are s#allo#ed 6y
s.ch si3pletons #itho.t reason or ;.stification.
@or is it 3erely si3pletons #ho are th.s del.ded. $ost of .s respect $rs. Besant for
her elo<.enceC her de/otionC her sacrifices for IndiaC 6.t #as she del.ded #hen she
a6andoned the pled5e she had 5i/en .nder the instr.ction of :.P.B.C and placed herself .nder
the t.tela5e of another teacher? 7r #as she del.ded #hen she anno.nced in her 3a5aAine
that she had follo#ed the ne# co.rse for ele/en years and had fo.nd it .nsatisfactory and
#as a6andonin5 it? 7r #as she del.ded #hen she a5reed #ith the findin5s of a co33ittee
for3ed of leadin5 3e36ers of the Theosophical Society that de3anded the resi5nation of
one of their n.36er for .n3entiona6le practicesC and asserted that she #o.ld ne/er per3it
that person to enter the Society a5ain? 7r #as She del.ded #hen she chan5ed her 3ind
and reinstated hi3C and placed herself .nder his t.ition? Was she del.ded #hen she
anno.nced a World Reli5ionC or #hen she #ithdre# it? 7r #as she del.ded #hen she
anno.nced a World Sa/ior or #hen she ac<.iesced in his rep.diation of any s.ch f.nction?
And #as she del.ded #hen she re;ected the e/idence of $r. $artyn of the contin.ance of the
practices already conde3ned? Were the persons del.ded #ho follo#ed her loyally thro.5h
all these chan5es of 3indC or did they so3eti3es take a ri5ht co.rse and ;.d5e for
the3sel/es?
7ne 3.st face factsC and e/er since 102( #hen I had a lon5 talk #ith her in 1ondon
and #e a5reed to disa5reeC and the last lon5 talk I had #ith her in !hica5o in 1020C #hich an
atte3pt had 6een 3ade to pre/entC #e parted on the 3ost
friendly ter3s of disa5ree3ent. She kne# her o#n #eaknesses 6etter than her so-called
-loyal- follo#ers did.
We sho.ld 6e 5lad to ha/e o.r errors and del.sions pointed o.t to .sC 6.t .s.ally s.ch
ser/ice only recei/es the scorn of the scornf.lC the hate of the hatef.l.
We 3ention $rs. Besant 6eca.se she is kno#n to nearly all of .s and her record is
easily a/aila6le. B.t #e 3i5ht ha/e taken other nota6le eBa3ples. We are told that one of
$rs. Besant)s collea5.es #rites so 6ea.tif.llyC so si3ply and so fascinatin5ly that he is
irresisti6le. WellC 1a.rence 7liphantC a fine #riter hi3selfC #as del.ded 6y Tho3as 1ake
:arrisC and sacrificed hi3self and his lo/ely #ife as #ellC to the psychic #hi3s of the poet-
3ystic. That is a record that 3i5ht #ell 6e placed 6eside $rs. Besant)s. Then there #as or is
T.>.C one RichardsonC #ho del.ded Dr. =.D. B.ckC one of the shre#destC solidest and
cle/erest of 3enC and 6ro.5ht a6o.t his financial r.in and distressf.l death. T.>. is the
s.6;ect of The +igh -omance( a no/el 6y one of his /icti3s #ho left Theosophy for his
instr.ctions and finally landed in the Ro3an !atholic !h.rchC a fre<.ent ha/en for fail.res in
7cc.ltis3. Another fine #riterC if fine #ritin5 is to 6e a l.reC is 9eor5e Dale 7#enC #hose fo.r
/ol.3es on the hea/en-#orld he descri6esC especially that on -The :i5hlands of :ea/en-C
are 6ooks of 3ar/ello.s interest as co3pared #ith the dreary #astes of the -1i/es of Alcyone-
#hose scrap6ook ori5in has 6een descri6ed in 4rnest Wood)s )s This Theosophy9 Then #e
ha/e -Brother T#el/e- #ho #rote /ery #ell 6.t prostit.ted his talent to the del.sion of 3any
poorC and other #ealthy d.pes. As he 3ade his chief 6id for notoriety in !anada #e need not
enlar5e on his pranks nor his finish nine years a5o. $ore recently #e had the 9er3an spyC
#ho ca3e to !anada dis5.ised as a B.ddhist 3onkC $r. R.h he called hi3selfC #ith a party
of Pr.ssian neophytes. :e set to #ork on so3e of o.r 1od5es and in spite of o.r constant
#arnin5s of s.ch d.plicityC 6roke .p one lod5e co3pletely. Then there is the A.$.7.R.!. #ho
s.ed 3e in an o6sc.re !alifornian !o.rt for li6el and I #as fo.nd 5.ilty #itho.t notice of the
trial or copy of the char5es. This !alifornian 3ethod #as s.6se<.ently adopted in Toronto as
the si3plest #ay of p.ttin5 thro.5h a lyin5 indict3ent. In t#o 3assi/e /ol.3es Dr. !ly3er
has printed all the facts #ith fac simile copies of the for5ed doc.3ents and all the e/idence
necessary to sho# the fra.d.lence of Spencer 1e#is)s clai3s.
7ne is askedC ho#e/erC #hy 6rin5 .p these 3atters? Why not let the3 die o.t and 6e
for5otten?
Beca.se they do not die o.t and are not for5otten. 4/ery #eek nearly I 5et letters
askin5 #hy soC and #hy notC and #hereforeC a6o.t all these 3atters of disp.te. So3e peopleC
like $r. 1.ntAC for instanceC #ho is 3entioned else#here in this iss.eC are .na6le to
appreciate the force of the splendid 3otto of the SocietyI There is no reli5ion hi5her than
Tr.th. We are fi5htin5 a War at present for the preser/ation of +reedo3C 6.t Tr.th is <.ite as
/al.a6le a herita5e as +reedo3C and #e are ;.st as c.lpa6le in 6ein5 careless a6o.t the
preser/ation of Tr.th as of +reedo3. It does not #orry so3e people that the president of the
Theosophical Society sho.ld propa5ate false and e/en fra.d.lent doctrines. It is ;.st a happy
toleranceC they thinkC to let hi3 do so. This is one of the 5ra/est 3istakes of i5noranceC for
one cannot concei/e of any personC kno#in5 the dan5erC sittin5 <.ietly and 6elie/in5 he #as
6ein5 /irt.o.s in per3ittin5 s.ch licence.
When 9er3an .ndersea sa6ate.rs landed in +lorida and else#here there #as no
5entle tolerance eBhi6ited to#ards the3. The nation .nderstood the 3enace. B.t o.r
del.ded 6rethren see3 to i3a5ine that the president of o.r Society can spread any falsehood
he sees fit #itho.t re6.ke or e/en re3ark. 7.r 4lder Brethren of the White 1od5e ha/e told
.s that B.ddhis3 is nearer to Theosophy than any other reli5ion. Apart fro3 the fact that o.r
Adyar officials ha/e adopted a 6o5.s for3 of !hristianity on #hich to 6esto# psychically
inspired 6lessin5sC the @o6le 4i5htfold Path of the B.ddhist faith appeals to all #ho are not
ethically 6lind or s.ffer fro3 3oral cecity. B.ddhis3 sets its face a5ainst the pri3al #eakness
of 6elie/in5. By teachin5 people to 6elie/eC !hristianity or !h.rchianity has led people into
s.ch a 3orass of cred.lity that 4.rope lost all sense of tr.th and fact and e/en 3en like a
Pri3e $inister of Britain #as ind.ced to accept the #ord of the 5reatest liar on record since
lan5.a5e #as in/ented.
The 1ord B.ddha #as #ell a#are of the dan5er and enforced the tr.th recorded in the
7ld Testa3entI 1yin5 lips are an a6o3ination to the 1ord. Innocence is no eBc.se in s.ch
circ.3stances. To propa5ate false doctrine is to lie. We are en;oined to st.dy ancient and
3odern reli5ionsC philosophies and sciences so that #e 3ay a/oid fallin5 into ;.st that pit.
The 1ord B.ddha tells .s not to 6elie/e anythin5 on hearsayC on traditionC on c.rrent
acceptanceC on a.thority ho#e/er respecta6leC nor fro3 c.sto3C for a society of 3ere
6elie/ers can only 6rin5 the #orld to conf.sion. There can 6e no pro5ress for the indi/id.al
nor for the #orld .ntil the @o6le 4i5htfold Path has 6eco3e the 3oral standard of h.3anity.
S.ch a standard #o.ld s#eep a#ay 3any reli5ionsC if not all of the3C 6.t it #o.ld lea/e 1ife
p.rified and enno6led.
That 4i5htfold Path is not as fa3iliar to Theosophical st.dents as it sho.ld 6e. Ri5ht
/ie#sC Ri5ht aspirationsC Ri5ht speechC Ri5ht cond.ctC Ri5ht 3ode of li/elihoodC Ri5ht effortC
Ri5ht 3indf.lnessC Ri5ht rapt.reC 3ean a far different consideration of #hat #e sho.ld eBpect
fro3 o.r officials as #ell as #hat #e sho.ld eBpect to .ndertakeC to 6eC and to doC o.rsel/es.
It is idle to say that #e are not B.ddhistsC or that #e follo# so3e lo#er standard. :e #ho
follo#s a lo#er standard than that presented to hi3 in his st.dyC deli6erately sins a5ainst his
o#n 6etter ;.d53entC and a5ainst the 1i5ht. :e is #illf.lly 6lind and #illf.lly leads others in
his 6lindness into .nkno#n perils. S.ch is the terri6le responsi6ility of Wron5 *ie#s and
Wron5 Aspirations and Wron5 Speech.
>ar3a is not to 6e el.ded 6y sophistical eBc.ses or fancif.l preferencesC nor 6y
i5norant pre;.dice. All these considerations are #ei5hed in the ri5idC eternal =.stice of the
Hni/ersal $ind. It accepts no eBc.ses and cancels no responsi6ilities. !onsiderin5 all thisC
#e 3ay #ell ask .nder #hat del.sionsC .nder #hat te3ptationsC .nder #hat #eaknesses of
3ind or te3pera3ent o.r 3any leadin5 officials are led to act like 3orons in direct opposition
to all the #arnin5sC instr.ctions and traditions of the period of the Society)s eBistence fro3
1,(% till 1,01. +ort.nately the literat.re of that period still s.r/i/es and those #ho are
earnestCand sincere can readily infor3 the3sel/es of the tr.th of #hat has here 6een said.
The #orld 3ore than e/er needs the re3edies the $astersC and their 3essen5er $ada3e
Bla/atskyC eBhi6ited. $ore than e/er 3.st #e apply the3 to o.rsel/es and 3ake the3 kno#n
to those #ho are .ndel.ded eno.5h to listen.
- A.4.S.S.
- Canadian TheosophistC $ay 1%C 10"
---------------------
[1+]
!THE DOCT&INE 6E P&O-UL<ATE .....!
- Boris de &irkoff
The Theosophical Society has no creeds or do53as and its #ork is not 6ased on any
set of 6eliefs. This si3ple fact has often 6een 3isinterpreted 6y so3e as 3eanin5 that
Theosophists ha/e no partic.lar doctrine to presentC and that Theosophy is #holly
.ndefina6leC eBceptC perhapsC as an approach to Tr.th.
This attit.deC #hich occasionally crops .pC is totally #ron5. In the #ords of the $aha-
!hohan trans3itted to A. P. Sinnett 6y $aster >.:. in 1,,1C it is a.thoritati/ely statedI -The
doctrine #e pro3.l5ate 6ein5 the only tr.e oneC 3.stC s.pported 6y s.ch e/idence as #e are
preparin5 to 5i/e 6eco3e .lti3ately tri.3phant as e/ery other tr.th.-
4/en a s.perficial ac<.aintance #ith the teachin5s of the Ancient Wisdo3 sho#s that
this Wisdo3 or Teachin5 o.tlines /ery specific doctrines concernin5 the nat.re of 3an and
the .ni/erseC in opposition toC and in contradistinction #ithC 3any other ideasC concepts and
6eliefs #hich are sho#n to 6e falseC as a res.lt of not 6ein5 6ased on solid .ni/ersal
fo.ndations.
So3e st.dentsC tryin5 to 6end 6ack#ards in their a6horence of 6lind 6eliefs and any
credal or do53atic str.ct.resC ha/e atte3pted to deny the o6/io.s fact that Theosophy has
doctrines that s.ch doctrines are defina6leC that they are the for3.lation of certain principles
of tho.5ht and of certain facts of nat.re of c.rrent lan5.a5es of o.r ti3eC and that they can
and sho.ld ser/e as /ery definite to.chstones of the /alidity of other ideas #hich ha/e often
passed as Theosophy.
As #e enter no# into the Second !ent.ry of o.r #ork as an or5aniAed $o/e3entC and
feelC stron5er than e/er 6eforeC o.r 3oral and spirit.al responsi6ility to all seekers #ho co3e
o.r #ayC it is inc.36ent .pon all of .s to a/oid presentin5 to the3 ideas and conceptions
#hich are in direct opposition to the 6asic doctrines of o.r $o/e3entC #hich ha/eC in one for3
or anotherC co3e do#n to .s fro3 i33e3orial anti<.ityC ha/in5 #ithstood the test of ti3e and
dan5er.
We 3.st not 6e afraid to ask o.rsel/es the <.estionI Do all the #orks p.6lished in
s.ch prof.sion 6y the se/eral Theosophical P.6lishin5 :o.ses contain ideas and teachin5s
thoro.5hly in confor3ity and har3ony #ith the ori5inal teachin5s presented 6y the +o.nders
of the $o/e3ent at its /ery inception or soon after? An i3partial st.dy of this 3atter 3i5ht
re/eal so3e .ns.spected facts and lea/e so3e st.dents in dis3ay. It is ne/ertheless a
healthy attit.de to take and a /ery 3.ch needed pro;ect to 6e .ndertaken.
We cannot afford to present to the seekers ideas #hich clash #ith the doctrines #hich
the 3odern Theosophical $o/e3ent #as entr.sted to present 6y those spirit.al Instr.ctors
#ho #ere its real +o.nders 6ehind the o.t#ard scene of e/ents. If #e do soC #e fail in o.r
3ission and #ill 6e 3ade responsi6le for decei/in5 othersC no 3atter ho# no6le 3ay ha/e
6een o.r 3oti/e and ho# co33enda6le o.r desire to help.
A doctrineC no 3atter ho# clearly definedC cannot 6eco3e a creedC si3ply 6eca.seC
instead of 6ein5 6ased on 6eliefsC it is fo.nded on >no#led5e.
- +ro3 Theosophia J1"'C Sprin5 10('
---------------------
[10]
6E -A5E SO-E P&OPOSITIONS
An .nhappy letter fro3 a neo-theosophist has f.rther sti3.lated tho.5hts #e ha/e
6een ha/in5 a6o.t #ays and 3eans of 5ettin5 these iss.es o.t into the open. There are t#o
3ain points on deckI the philosophies of neo-theosophy as s.chG and the personal character
of 1ead6eater. They are interrelatedC 6.t can 6e handled separately.
A. Hpon concl.din5 the present seriesC #e shall print a <.estionnaire for neo-
theosophists to fill o.t. We #ill then print the filled <.estionnaire #ith o.r co33entsC if it is
filled. We #ill follo# this #ith any closin5 re6.ttal the neo-Theosophists 3ay #ish to 3ake.
We #ill then consider this co3pilation of 6oth sides the a.thoritati/e teBt on the philosophic
credentials of neo-theosophyC #hich readers 3ay ;.d5e for the3sel/es.
B. We shallCif the neo-theosophists a5reeC print the official record of the 1ead6eater seB
episodesC the so.rce doc.3ents to 6e checked fro3 Adyar records and p.6lished 3atter 6y
the neo-theosophists if they #ish. This record shall co3prise not less than the follo#in5I
1. 1etter fro3 1ead6eater to $rs. BesantC =.ne 2C 102'.
2. The pertinent portions of the @arayaniah /s. Besant !aseC $adras :i5h !o.rtC
$arch-April 101. ES.6;ect of the a6o/e letter.F
. 1etter fro3 1ead6eater to BesantC Sept. 11C 102'.
". $in.tes of the !o33ittee 3eetin5 held 6y 7lcott on $ay 1'C 102'C representin5 the
4n5lishC A3ericanC and +rench Sections. E$eadC >ei5htleyC B.rnettC Tho3asC 7lcottC SinnettC
BernardC WardC 1ead6eater testifyin5.F
%. The teBt of 1ead6eater)s resi5nation follo#in5 this 3eetin5.
'. !o33ents of 7lcott and Besant on the resi5nation.
(. !ipher letter in the 4Bhi6its of this 3eetin5C fro3 1ead6eater to one of the 6oys.
,. 1etter of =an. 2'C 102'C fro3 $rs. Dennis to $rs. Besant.
0. The testi3ony of the t#o 3others presented at the 3eetin5.
12. !. =inara;adasa)s circ.lar letter of April 'C 102'. E4Bhi6it in @arayaniah !aseG in itC
=inara;adasa defends 1ead6eater a5ainst another char5e - #hich #e ha/e not seen
else#here than in this co33.nication - 6.t ad3its the one stated 6y .s.F
11. $rs. Besant)s letter fro3 Si3laC =.ne 0C 102'.
12. $rs. Besant to $rs. DennisC $ay 12C 102%. E4Bhi6it in @arayaniah !ase.F
1. 1ead6eater to BesantC Sept. 11C 102'. E@arayaniah !ase.F
1". Report 6y $rs. Besant on the !o33ittee proceedin5s of $ay 1'C 102'C 3ade to
the A3erican 4soteric SectionC later released 6y her as a printed circ.lar.
1%. +ollo#in5 letter 6y $rs. BesantC 6e5innin5 -Any proposal to reinstate $r.
1ead6eater.....-
1'. 1etter fro3 1ead6eater to $rs. BesantC printed in the TheosophistC +e6. 102,.
1(. 1etter fro3 =idd. @arayaniah to $rs. BesantC =an. 'C 1012C E@arayaniah !ase.F
1,. =.stice Bake#ell)s s.33in5 .pC in a#ardin5 the c.stody of the children to their
father and re3o/in5 it fro3 $rs. Besant. EApril 1,C 101.F
10. The T.:. $artyn letter to $rs. BesantC $ay 22C 1021.
22. Article in Theosophy in AustraliaC +e6. 1022C -The SeB P.estion.-
21. R.pert 9a.ntlett)s state3entC =.ne 2C 1022C on the -+arrer !onfession.-
22. Pa3phlet 6y =ohn /an $anenC -7.r Present Tro.6lesC- =.ly 1022.
2. Records of the Police 4n<.iry in SydneyC 1022C incl.din5 -Alterations in 4/idenceC-
=.ne (C 1022G state3ent of the head of the !ri3inal In/esti5ation Depart3ent to the
Inspector 9eneralG co33ent 6y the latterG state3ent 6y the !ro#n Solicitor. EIn this hearin5C
the precedin5 3aterialC incl.din5 the 3in.tes of the 7lcott !o33ittee of 102'C and other
e/idenceC co.ld not 6e placed in e/idence. The in<.iry referred to conc.rrent 3atters.F
2". Article fro3 Truth( 1ondonC Dec. 2C 102%. ES.6;ect to check 6y conte3porary
record in D.tch ne#spapers and co.rts s.6stantiatin5 char5e 3ade. EThis does not refer to
1ead6eater directlyC 6.t like so3e of the 3aterial pre/io.sly notedC to cond.ct of 1ead6eater)s
follo#ers.F
!onc.rrently #ith this 3aterialC #e #ill print any co33ents 6y the neo-theosophists
that they #ish to 3ake in defense of 1ead6eater and other acc.sed parties. We #ill then add
o.r o#n co33ents on the co33entsC and any co.nter-re6.ttal 6y the neo-theosophistsC
5i/in5 the3 the last #ord as in -A-.
This co3pilation -B- shall then stand as a.thoritati/e reference for the f.t.re in re5ard
to this aspect of 1ead6eater)s careerC containin5C like -A-C 6oth sides.
We #ill consent - in fact #o.ld prefer - to circ.late this 3aterial in a restricted 3annerC
only to those kno#n to .s to 6e loyal theosophistsC #ho #o.ld not .se it to in;.re the
$o/e3entG of co.rseC alsoC to any neo-theosophists interested. The appearance of this
phase of theosophical history has ne/er 6een any partic.lar pleas.re to .sG if there #ere any
h.3an 3eans of eBc.lpatin5 the people fro3 these char5esC #e #o.ld 6e /ery 5lad to see it
done for the sake of the $o/e3ent.
We ha/e not pre/io.sly .sed it eBcept partially as essential e/idence in re
1ead6eater)s alle5ed seership. The occasion for 6rin5in5 it .p so forci6ly no# is an indication
tha a s.6-3yth is in the 3an.fact.reG the 3yth of 1ead6eater)s innocence. :is ad3irers of
the older 5enerationC 3ost of #ho3 kne# the factsC ha/e hitherto 6een 3ostly - and #isely -
content to i5nore the #hole 3atter #itho.t atte3ptin5 defense B.t there are no# ne# and
.ninfor3ed people 6ein5 dra#n into the toils of neo-theosophyG /ery shortly al3ost all the
conte3poraries #ill 6e 5oneG ori5inal records ha/e a #ay of disappearin5 in co.rse of ti3eC
and printed e/idence of 6ein5 6.ried or lost. Ti3e fi5hts for e/il in these respects. In s.ch
3annerC certain episodes of the early !hristian ch.rchC and 3onastic happenin5s of later
cent.riesC 6eca3e 6.ried or kno#n to /ery fe#. We already ha/e the intolera6le condition
that in so3e cases those #ho fi5ht for tr.th in the 3o/e3ent and its teachin5s are called liars
and slanderers 6y the i5norant - as #ell as the 5.ilty. In the 1ead6eater caseC #e do not ha/e
to stand still for it.
--------------
P.rely as an indi/id.al 3atterC 1ead6eater)s cond.ct #o.ld no# 6e differently
.nderstood and classified. The psychosis is #ell kno#n and of fre<.ent occ.rrence. :e
#o.ld 6e rated 6y psychiatrists as a 3an 3entally ill - as he #as 6y $iss Ward d.rin5 the
!o33ittee 3eetin5G she ar5.ed to accept resi5nation rather than to eBpel. +.rther than that
- he #o.ld 6e in 5ood standin5 #ith so3e 3oderns - Wilhel3 ReichC for instanceG and #o.ld
6e /ery co3placently re5arded 6y >insey. B.t if there are any Theosophists so 3indedC #e
#o.ld like to kno# it. As an .nfort.nate indi/id.alC in all pro6a6ility the /icti3 of pre3at.re
atte3pts at asceticis3C 1ead6eater #o.ld 6e entitled to silence and shado#. The point is that
in the 3idst of all this he persistently and insolently 6.ilt .p a ne# reli5ion that irrepara6ly
da3a5ed the $o/e3entC and #hat .nity re3ained in it after the =.d5e !ase - in #hich he
also played a part. AlsoC it is one thin5 to 6e a /icti3 of a /iceC and another thin5 to in/ol/e
others in it. 7ne 3ay sho# 3ercy to indi/id.als as s.chC and one 3ay for5et and for5i/e
personal in;.ry. @ot so in 3atters of this sort.
- E*ictor 4nders6yCF Theosophical NotesC =.neC 10%'
---------------------
[11]
FIFTY YEA&S - PLUS TEN
Ten years a5oC that isC at the cele6ration of o.r +iftieth yearC the =.6ilee of the
Theosophical SocietyC the precedin5 fifty years #ere 6roadly eBploredC and /ario.s
s.33in5s-.p of pro5ress 3ade in the 3eanti3e #ere rehearsed. The period #as re/ie#ed
in its relation to reli5ionC philosophy and scienceC and the infl.ence or effect of Theosophy on
the tho.5ht and achie/e3ents of the ti3e #as esti3ated. It is scarcely necessary to repeat
those s.r/eys at the present ti3e. $ore to o.r p.rpose is it to re/ie# the last ten years and
to 5lean fro3 the3 #hat has 6een the s.ccess or other#ise of the. Theosophical $o/e3ent
d.rin5 that ti3e. At the sa3e ti3eC it #o.ld do no har3 to read the @o/e36er and Dece36erC
102% iss.es of o.r $a5aAine.
7.r faces sho.ld ordinarily 6e set for#ardC 6.t #e cannot esti3ate o.r ad/ance eBcept
6y a 6ack#ard 5lance. We 3ay take the last ten years as a contrast #ith those ideals #ith
#hich #e ha/e 6een s.pposed to 6e 5.idin5 o.rsel/es for the last siBty years. It is no sl.r to
say that #e ha/e failedC 6.t it is a distinct reproach to find that #e ha/e deli6erately failedC
that #e ha/es ne5lected the lessons that ha/e 6een ad3inistered to .sC and that #e are
settin5 o.t to repeat the 3istakes #e ha/e already 3ade.
We s.33ed .p the 5reater of the errorsC in 7cto6erC 10. There #as the 1i6eral
!atholic !h.rchC to #hich #e #ere all eBpected to 6elon5 as an or5aniAation p.rportin5 to 6e
the pro;ect of the $ahat3as. It #as read o.t of the Society after repeated protestsC and no#
President Ar.ndale says in his last 6ookC 1reedom anal 1riendshipC - -Definite or5aniAations
s.ch as #e ha/e had in the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC or in the 7rder of the Star in the 4astC
cannot 6e per3itted to f.nction #ithin The Society. They are 6est o.tside itC for their o#n
sake and for the sake of The Society.- That is an eBcellent and lo5ical concl.sion. Then #e
had 'an: 8hence( +o,( and 8hitherC #ith its 6o5.s calc.lations and propheciesC and the
Lies of AlcyoneC sho#n to 6e alto5ether a fra.d.lent co3position. 8et these 6ooks are still
co33ended and listed as a.thoritati/e .tterancesC 3isleadin5 tho.sands of readers as to the
tr.e ai3s of Theosophy and its direction. Then #e had the World Teacher and Se/en ArhatsC
the first of #ho3 has rep.diated his office and f.nctionsC and the Arhats ha/e 6een deserted
6y so3e and no lon5er assert their identity. In A.5.stC 102%C $rs. Besant anno.nced at
733en in :ollandC 6y co33and of the >in5 of they World. $r. !.W. 1ead6eater 6ein5
.ndo.6tedly the channel of the procla3ation that $r. >rishna3.rti #as the /ehicle of o.r 1ord
and Sa/io.rC #hoe/er he 3i5ht 6eC and that $rs. BesantC $r. 1ead6eaterC $r. =inara;adasaC
Dr. Ar.ndaleC $r. 7scar >ellerstro3C $rs. Ar.ndaleC and $r. Wed5#oodC #ere ArhatsC and
accordin5 to the Theosophical 9lossaryC -deser/in5 di/ine hono.rs.- $r. >rishna3.rti
rep.diated all this s.6se<.ently. $r. >ellerstro3 also #ithdre# fro3 s.ch a36itio.s clai3s.
Three others are dead. We still a#ait the decision of the s.r/i/ors. Then #e had the 5reat
Arena 6.ilt at SydneyC A.straliaC #ere the World Sa/io.r #as first to appear. That drea3 has
also fadedC and the Arena has 6een sold. All these thin5s ha/e 6een rep.diated or sho#n to
6e .ntr.st#orthy and falseC 6.t their a.thorC no# deadC -the 3i5hty and re/ered St. !harles
1ead6eaterC- to <.ote 2bique of last A.5.stC fro3 #ho3 all these thin5s en3anatedC has not
yet 6een rep.diatedC and his #orlds are still co33ended 6y the s.r/i/in5 -Arhats.- @ot only
thatC 6.t in a plan to preach #hat $r. Ar.ndale calls -Strai5ht TheosophyC- these 6ooks are set
forth in the forefront of lists of 6ooks s.pposed to present -strai5ht Theosophy- to those #ho
6.y and read the3. And this is the record of The Theosophical SocietyC AdyarC in the last ten
years.
We 3ay 6e asked to eBplain ho# s.ch errancies arose in a Society like that #hich
$ada3e Bla/atsky 6ro.5ht into 6ein5. We 6elie/e there is 6.t one eBplanationC and that is
that $r. 1ead6eaterC like 3any others in the early $o/e3entC and 3any e/en no#C did not
6elie/e in the $asters #ho #ereC as :.P.B. statedC the real so.rce of the Wisdo3 #hich she
indited in The #ecret &octrine"
That is to say that in the years follo#in5 the death of $ada3e Bla/atskyC there had
5ro#n .p a3on5 the leaders of tho.5ht in The Theosophical SocietyC a dis6elief in the
$ahat3asC in the /erity of $ada3e Bla/atsky)s #ritin5sC and in the act.ality of the 1a# of
>ar3a.
9eor5e R.S. $ead #as one #ho professed s.ch skepticis3. $r. A.P. SinnettC chosen
/ice-president of the SocietyC follo#ed after stran5e 5odsC and 6roke a#ay alto5ether fro3
$ada3e Bla/atsky)s teachin5sC as 3ay 6e seen in his later 6ooksC and his posth.3o.s
/ol.3e in #hich he clai3ed to 6e the real fo.nder of the Theosophical Society. *ario.s
phases of psychic phantas3a5oria #ere s.6stit.ted fro3 the ti3e of the death of !ol. 7lcottC
and in the last ten years the -re/elations- that #ere handed o.t at Adyar 6eca3e a6s.rd in
their fre<.ency and contradictory and inconsistent character. We had hoped that #hen Dr.
Ar.ndale fo.nd hi3self free and independent of this sordid past he #o.ld ha/e c.t hi3self
loose fro3 the distressf.l 6.rdenC ha/e reasserted his loyalty to the ori5inal principles of the
SocietyC and his reco5nition of the ethical standards #hich characteriAe $ada3e Bla/atsky)s
#ritin5s. To do hi3 ;.sticeC he does 3ake so3e atte3pts in this direction in his late 6ooksC
Hou and 1reedom and 1riendship" Perhaps he thinks that the para6le of the tare)s is
s.fficient 5.idance at this ;.nct.reG and that the tares and the #heat 3ay 6e left to 5ro#
to5ether till the har/estC #hen the tares #ill 6e 5athered to5ether in 6.ndles to 6e 6.rned. B.t
he for5ets that the ho.seholder did not ne5lect to reco5niAe the tares for #hat they #ere. It is
scarcely ethical to say that #e are .na6le to ;.d5e #hat is taresC and #hat is #heat.
Th.s #eC 3ay co3e to see fro3 the record of the last ten years that in this siBtieth
=.6ilee 8ear of the Theosophical SocietyC #e stand in the ;.d53ent of the o.ter #orld as
ha/in5 6een .nfaithf.l to o.r tr.st. We ha/e still to learn that Theosophy is 3ore i3portant
than The Theosophical SocietyC or than any Theosophical Society. We ha/e still to learn that
$ada3e Bla/atsky can ha/e and co.ld not ha/e any -s.ccessorC- any 3ore than the 7cean
or the Sky or Space itself can ha/e a s.ccessor. She 3irrored for .s the 4ternity of Tr.thC
and #e 3.st find the Sea of 9lass in o.r o#n conscio.sness 6efore #e can d.plicate her
/ision. Those #ho #o.ld replace The Secret Doctrine #ith their l.c.6rations 3ay 6e #ell-
intentionedC 6.t .s.ally 3erely o6.36rate the 3ore end.rin5 records.
@or need #e hesitate to ad3it o.r 3istakes. The 6est of .s are prone to 3ake
5rie/o.s 3is-steps. $ada3e Bla/atsky sets an eBa3ple of h.3ility in this respect. And she
3ade no clai3 to infalli6ility. 1et .s all take heed fro3 this attit.de of one of the Wise 7nes
that #e are not eBpected to 6e infalli6le eBcept in o.r desire to 6e desirelessC to 6e
i3personalC to s.63it o.rsel/es to the r.le of o.r o#n hi5hest idealsC and to for5et a36itionC
-#hich o)erleaps itselfC and falls on the other.-
As far as the p.6lic are concernedC #e ha/e 6een noted for o.r eccentricitiesG #e
sho.ld no# try and 6eco3e fa3o.s for o.r nor3alities. It is .nfort.nate that #ith the finest
3essa5e the #orl has recei/ed in historical ti3esC a 3essa5e incl.si/e and e36odyin5 all
that has e/er 6een /oiced of Tr.eC or 9oodC or Bea.tif.lC #e sho.ld 6e identified #ith al3ost
e/ery folly that psychic i3a5ination co.ld s.55estC or ad3irin5 fanaticis3 perpetrate. We
ha/e e/en 6een false to o.r o#n recordC and all that is #orth#hile in co3rades past and 5one
is to 6e left officially to o6li/ion. In Dr. Ar.ndale)s s.33in5 .p of those to 6e re3e36ered in
this ;.6ileeC he can only re3e36er Bla/atskyC 7lcottC BesantC S.66a Ro#C Sinnett and
1ead6eater. Blessed 6e all these for any 5ood they 3ay ha/e done or so.5ht to doC 6.t let .s
not eBalt the3 o/er the e/er-present $asters and their faithf.l ser/ants and soldiersC like
=.d5eC :art3annC Tookera3 TatyaC $rs. Patience SinnettC 9.R.S. $eadC =a3es $. PryseC
!harles =ohnstonC 9eor5e W. R.ssellC Dr. =.D. B.ckC Dr. AleBander WilderC :er6ert B.rro#sC
Da3odarC Bha5a/an DasC Archi6ald and Bertra3 >ei5htleyC $a6el !ollinsC =.lia !a3p6ell
*erplanck >ei5htleyC !o.ntess Wacht3eisterC Willia3 >in5slandC Dr. Wynne Westcott and
doAens of others in IndiaC 4.rope and A3ericaC self-de/oted and loyal to the $o/e3ent as
they .nderstood itC #ho so.5ht no distinctionC 6.t in re3e36erin5 #ho3 #e do honor to
o.rsel/es.
@or sho.ld #e perpet.ate -the heresy of separateness- 6y alle5in5 that o.r
or5aniAation is the only channel of tr.e Theosophy. :.P.B. told .s that there #ere siB other
schools of occ.ltis3 and that o.rs #as as near to the White 1od5e as any of the others. B.t
6ein5 near to the Ideal is a place of dan5erC if #e do not seek to e36ody it in o.rsel/es. And
to assert that #e are the only people #ho approach it is to de/elop a phase of personality and
e5otis3 that is and al#ays has 6een fatal to spirit.al 5ro#th. We still ha/e to learn the lesson
that =es.s so pointedly ta.5ht - that he #ho #o.ld seek to sa/e his psyche Eso.l or
personalityF #ill lose itG 6.t he that #o.ld lose the psyche for the sake of the SelfC the
!hristosC #o.ld ha/e aeonian life. 1ater de/elop3ents in The Theosophical Society ha/e ally
6een in the direction of accent.atin5 the personalityC the psycheC and #e ha/e so.5ht and
follo#ed psychic po#ersC and psychic ac<.isitions to the detri3ent of all o.r #ork.
As #e look o.t on the #orld of today #e can see too sorro#f.l reasons for the
re/elation of that Drea3 of Brotherhood #hich #as the 3essa5e of the Theosophical
$o/e3ent to the #orld of 1,(%. War and r.3ors of #ar are still the pre/ailin5 feat.res of o.r
international and social life after siBty years. If #e co.ld only 5et the #orld of 3en to
.nderstand it is in their o#n hands to alter the #hole prospect of the f.t.re and to 5i/e peace
to the nations 6y the si3ple process of chan5in5 their 3inds fro3 fear and co3petition and
hate and strifeC to lo/eC ;oyC peaceC patienceC considerationC cooperationC int.itionC 3odestyC
self-control. This is a tr.e Theosophical code.
7r #e 3i5ht adopt a 3odern paraphrase of St. Pa.l)s s.55estion to the 4phesians
--Drop all 6itter feelin5 and passion and an5er and cla3orin5 and ins.ltsC to5ether #ith all
3aliceG 6e kind to each otherC 6e tender-heartedC 6e 5enero.s to each other as 9od has
6een 5enero.s to yo. in !hrist.- And this is to 6e applied 6y each of the Theosophical
Societies to the othersC 6y Adyar to Point 1o3aC and /ice /ersaG 6y the @e# 8ork 5ro.p to the
H.1.T.C and 6y that 6ody to @e# 8orkG 6y all Theosophists to all other TheosophistsG and let it
6e in s.ch a spirit that o.r attit.de sho.ld ine/ita6ly 6eco3e the 3ark and standard of those
#ho find in The Secret DoctrineC in the leadership of $ada3e Bla/atskyC and the inspiration of
the 'ahatma LettersC the only reasons for ha/in5 a Theosophical $o/e3ent at all.
The #orld cries o.t for refor3 in national and internationalC in co33ercial and social
relationsG for a 3ore h.3ane spirit in the application of science and of learnin5 5enerallyG for
3ore kindness to#ards the poor and i5norantC the #eak and .nhealthy and i33at.reC for
3ore consideration for 3ankind as a #hole. Perhaps indeedC #e 3i5ht 3ore easily lose o.r
o#n self-conceits in seekin5 the #elfare of the race.
We need not 6e asha3ed to confess that #e ha/e done #hat #e o.5ht not to ha/e
doneC and left .ndone #hat #e o.5ht to ha/e doneC and that #et ha/e only a little health in
.s. -Shall #eC- asks the $aha !hohan in the 3ost 3e3ora6le co33.nication #e ha/e had
fro3 the White 1od5e in o.r !hristian eraC -shall #e lea/e the tee3in5 3illions of the i5norantC
of the poor and despisedC the lo#ly and the oppressed to take care of the3sel/es and their
hereafter as 6est they kno# ho#? @e/er? Rather perish the T.S. #ith 6oth its hapless
fo.nders than that #e sho.ld per3it it to 6eco3e no 6etter than an acade3y of 3a5icC a hall
of occ.ltis3.-
A5ainst this plain #arnin5 #e ha/e for5otten -the s3all old path stretchin5 far a#ay.-
B.t it is not too late in the forty years of o.r cent.ry yet left to .sC thro.5h toil and strifeC
thro.5h 6attle and 3.rder and s.dden deathC thro.5h all the chances and chan5es of o.r
distracted li/esC still to hold hi5h the 6anner of BrotherhoodC still to treas.re in o.r hearts the
kno#led5e that the $aster So.l is oneC tho.5h of Teachers there are 3anyC still to dedicate
o.rsel/es to the 1ife that tri.3phs 3ost no6ly on the Path of Sacrifice.
Therefore #e say -Re;oice in the $aster al#ays. And a5ain #e sayC Re;oice.-
- A. 4. S. S. 33#mythe44
- +ro3 Canadian TheosophistC @o. 1%C 10%
------------------
[12]
!THE FOUNTAINHEAD!
@o# the Theosophical Society has no creed. It is not !hristian nor B.ddhistG it is not
Theistic nor AtheisticG it is not $aterialist nor Spirit.alist. It e36races 3en of all creeds and
of none. Does anyone reco5niAe the Brotherhood of all 3en? Then to hi3 its doors are fl.n5
#idely openC and the clasp of Brotherhood is offered. @one 3ay challen5e his ri5ht of entry
nor 6id hi3 stand aside.
B.t Theosophy is a 6ody of kno#led5eC clearly and distinctly for3.lated in part and
proclai3ed to the #orld. $e36ers of the Society 3ay or 3ay not 6e st.dents of this
kno#led5eC 6.t none the less it is the s.re fo.ndation on #hich the $asters ha/e 6.ilt the
SocietyC and on #hich its central teachin5 of the Brotherhood of $an is 6ased. Witho.t
TheosophyC Hni/ersal Brotherhood 3ay 6e proclai3ed as an IdealC 6.t it cannot 6e
de3onstrated as a +actC and therefore Theosophists are needed to 5i/e sta6ility to the
Theosophical Society.
@o# 6y Theosophy I 3ean the -Wisdo3 Reli5ion-C or the -Secret Doctrine-C and o.r
only kno#led5e of the Wisdo3 Reli5ion at the present ti3e co3es to .s fro3 the $essen5er
of its !.stodiansC :.P. Bla/atsky. >no#in5 #hat she ta.5htC #e can reco5niAe fra53ents of
the sa3e teachin5s in other #ritin5sC 6.t her 3essa5e re3ains for .s the test of Theosophy
e/ery#here. As #e learnC #e /erify so3e of its 3ore ele3entary portionsC and so - if need 6e
- #e 3ay increase o.r confidence in the $essen5er. AlsoC it is open to e/ery st.dent only to
accept as he /erifiesC and to hold his ;.d53ent in s.spension as to anythin5 that does not
appro/e itself to his reasonC or as to all that he has not yet pro/en. 7nlyC none of .s has any
ri5ht to p.t for#ard his o#n /ie#s as -Theosophy-C in conflict #ith hersC for all that #e kno# of
Theosophy co3es fro3 her. When she says -The Secret Doctrine teaches-C none can say
her nayG #e 3ay disa5ree #ith the teachin5C 6.t it re3ains Dthe Secret Doctrine-C or
TheosophyG she al#ays enco.ra5ed independent tho.5ht and criticis3C and ne/er resented
differences of opinionC 6.t she ne/er #a/ered in the distinct procla3ation -The Secret
Doctrine is- so and so.
Theosophists ha/e it in char5e not to #hittle a#ay the Secret Doctrine for the sake of
propitiatin5 the !hristian ch.rches that ha/e for5otten !hrist any 3ore than they 3ay #hittle it
a#ay for the sake of propitiatin5 $aterialistic Science. SteadilyC cal3lyC #itho.t an5er 6.t
#itho.t fearC they 3.st stand 6y the Secret Doctrine as she 5a/e itC #ho carried .nflinchin5ly
thro.5h the stor3s of #ell-ni5h se/enteen s.ccessi/e years the torch of the 4astern Wisdo3.
The condition of s.ccess is perfect loyalty.........
- $rs. BesantC 7cto6er 1,01.
- Canadian TheosophistC @o/. 1%C 10",
---------------------
[14]
THE <ENESIS OF A -YTHOLO<Y
- *ictor 4nders6y
CONTENTS
I. :7AQ
II. T:4 PR4-14ADB4AT4R !8!14
III. W:8?
I*. T:4 BR4A!: 7+ T:4 9HARDIA@ WA11
*. T:4 $AI@ BASTI7@
*I. A+T4R T:4 WAT!:D79 WAS S:7T
*II. R4TR4AT
*III. T:4 PH11BA!>
IQ. T:4 97DS 7+ T:4 BA!> D77R
Q. PS8!:I! P:4@7$4@7$ A@D @47-T:47S7P:8
I. Ho#=.
The Canadian Theosophist( 7cto6er 1%thC 10%C printed the follo#in5I
The follo#in5 letter relates to the 6ook .ccult Chemistry( a re/ised edition of #hich
#as p.6lished 6y The Theosophical P.6lishin5 :o.seC AdyarC in 10%1. We had fondly hoped
- 6.t in /ainC as it t.rns o.t - that this 3aterial #o.ld ha/e re3ained <.ietly 6.ried in its
ori5inal 1010 edition .ntil it #as for5otten. :o#e/erC it has 6een reincarnated in <.arto siAe
prof.sely ill.stratedC containin5 02 pa5esC price a6o.t K11.22. The ne# edition #as re/ised
6y $r. =inara;adasaG parts of the ori5inal ha/e 6een o3itted and notes ha/e 6een added on
later -in/esti5ations- 3ade 6y $r. 1ead6eater.
It is .nfort.nate that o.r correspondent)sO eBa3ination of the so.rces fro3 #hich the
6asic ideas of .ccult Chemistry #ere dra#nC has led hi3 to resi5n fro3 the Society.
Do.6tless the disclos.res #ere 6.t the last stra#s #hich finally 3o/ed the scale. $r. Barratt
is a deep st.dent of The #ecret &octrineC a sta.nchC o.tspoken s.pporter of :.P.B.C and an
.nco3pro3isin5 opponent of the lo#er psychis3 #hich has per3eated the Theosophical
SocietyC Adyar. The Society cannot afford to lose 3e36ers of $r. Barratt)s standin5 and his
resi5nation #ill 6e re5retted 6y all those 3e36ers #ho are endea/o.rin5 to restore the
presti5e of Theosophy 6y sti3.latin5 interest in the st.dy of the real 6asic Theosophical
literat.re. $r. Barratt still is and #ill contin.e to 6e a 3e36er of the one Theosophical
$o/e3entC #hose 3e36ers all are 6o.nd to5ether as 6rother disciples in their co33on
adherence to the ori5inal 3essa5e of Theosophy.
They are a#are that there is a f.nda3ental and irreconcila6le difference of approach
6et#een the re/elations 5i/en o.t 6y $r. 1ead6eaterC and the teachin5s pf the $asters and
their a5entC :.P. Bla/atsky. In St. Pa.l)s #ordsC the first is of the earthC earthyG the second is
the 1ord fro3 hea/en. In the opinion of 3any st.dentsC $r. 1ead6eater #as a psychic #ho
ne/er ad/anced 6eyond the li3its of lo#er psychis3C the plane of astral for3sC s.6tle and
ill.si/e. It is tr.e that his 6ooks eBpress 3any eBalted idealsC 3any no6le teachin5s - it #o.ld
6e i3possi6le to #rite on Theosophy #itho.t carryin5 for#ard so3e parts at least of the
$essa5e - 6.t his en5rossin5 interest #as in psychis3.
Theosophical @otes has lon5 6een in correspondence #ith $r. BarrattC #hose stat.s
as a st.dent is correctly set forth in the a6o/e. :is resi5nation fro3 the Adyar Society raises
a5ain the <.estion often dealt #ith in these pa5esI #hen and at #hat point does the str.55le
a5ainst increasin5 corr.ption in a Theosophical 5ro.pC 6eco3e a lost ca.se and #asted
effort?
-----------
O $r. 9raha3e Barratt
-----------
The Canadian Theosophist sees $r. Barratt)s loss as a 3isfort.ne to the Society.
Hn<.estiona6ly it di3inishes the n.36er of those in that Society #ho stand #ith the C"T. in
the str.55le to restore and 3aintain the ori5inal teachin5s. Whether it di3inishes the force of
that effort as a #hole is another 3atter. $r. BarrattC in the T.S. in 4n5landC 3et #ith scant
s.pportC and a stone #all 6.ilt of the /ested interests of neo-theosophy. It is a <.estion
#hetherC #ith those of 3ore perceptionC his Infl.enceC #hate/er it 3ay 6eC is still not as 5reat
as it e/er #as. It see3s that those #ho still stick to the ori5inal p.rpose in that Society ha/e
6.t little or5aniAational alle5iance as s.chG and thatC all $r. Barratt co.ld do in the Society
that he cannot do o.tside itC #as to /ote. Inas3.ch as the /ote for s.ch a ca.se as he
represented in that section #as 3.ch in the 3inorityC and the political syste3 there is ri55ed
in s.ch a 3anner that only sta.nch neo-theosophists ha/e any opport.nity for hi5h officeC no
3atter #ho /otesC his separation 3ay 6e rather i33aterialC so far as the Society fate is
concerned.
$r. Barratt)s letter to The Canadian Theosophist is lon5 and <.ite technicalG it 3ay 6e
s.33ariAed as sho#in5C 6y references and dia5ra3sC #hich are printedC that the nat.re of
the -ato3- as seen 6y 1ead6eater -clair/oyantly- #as not ori5inal #ith 1ead6eaterC 6.t #as
first sho#n spec.lati/ely 6y 4.D. Ba66itt in a 6ook p.6lished in 1,(,. :e pro/es the caseG
ho#e/erC it hardly needed proof 6eca.se a reference to Ba66itt)s fi5.res is 3ade in
1ead6eater)s o#n 6ook. $r. Barratt takes especial eBception to 1ead6eater)s clai3 to ha/in5
o6ser/ed the str.ct.re of the ato3 6y 3eans of a -tiny 3icroscope- ha/in5 a sin5le ato3 as a
lensC for the p.rpose of o6ser/in5 other ato3s. $r. Barratt points o.t that this a3o.nts to
clai3in5 to .se the ato3 to see the ato3 in the first place. :o#e/erC another 3ethod is 5i/en
6y 1ead6eater. The 4ditorial re3arks s.3 .p the se/en points in #hich the Ba66itt ato3
rese36les the 1ead6eater ato3G point o.t that neither of the3 can 6e reconciled #ith any
scientific disco/eries a6o.t the ato3C and that there is no a.thority for 1ead6eater)s clai3s
eBcept 1ead6eater hi3self - and Annie BesantC #ho clai3ed to see the sa3e thin5s. The
4ditor s.55ests hypnosis as the connectin5 link there. :e deplores the re/i/al cf
1ead6eater)s 6ook and says that for the sake of the rep.tation of the Society its ad/ertisin5 in
rep.ta6le scientific ;o.rnals sho.ld 6e stopped.
In the Dece36er n.36er of the C"T" a Dr. Bendit attacks $r. Barratt and the 4ditor for
-personal and e36ittered opinions.- The 4ditor replies to this also at so3e len5th. We ha/e
sent to The Canadian Theosophist( #ith copies to $r. Barratt and Dr. BenditC a letter of #hich
the pertinent parts follo#. A considera6le portion of $r. Barratt)s letter to the C"T. sho.ld 6e
s.fficiently i3plied in o.rsC 6.t the reader sho.ld st.dy the ori5inal if possi6le.
-Pla5iaris3C- at least as .sed in the Hnited StatesG refers to liftin5 #itho.t credit the
#ork of another a.thor. Independent disco/ery of the sa3e thin5C or parallel #ritin5s 6y
a.thors 3.t.ally .nkno#n to each otherC are <.ite co33on. Therefore the prior eBistence of
Ba66itt)s 6ook in itself is not e/idential. $oreo/erC 1ead6eaterC as Barratt points o.tC refers to
Ba66itt)s 6ook. The point then is not #hether 1ead6eater pla5iariAed - if there #as pla5iaris3
it #as 6y =inara;adasa #ho later re3o/ed the reference - 6.t #hether 1ead6eater clai3ed as
an independent clair/oyant o6ser/ation of his o#nC so3ethin5 that he really 5ot only fro3
Ba66itt. This #o.ld 6e a lie #orse than pla5iaris3. The o6;ecti/e <.estion isI -Was the
)disco/ery) tr.e?- It is o6/io.s that if the -findin5- had no realityC it is i3pro6a6le that Ba66itt
#o.ld e/ol/e a false hypothesis and that 1ead6eater #o.ld either s.ffer a hall.cinationC or
concoct a fa6le of the sa3e kindC and independently. :enceC if it can 6e sho#n that the
1ead6eater ato3 is a 3ythC he stands a.to3atically con/icted of a lie. Witho.t tryin5 to
co3plete the case hereC #e shall sho# in a near iss.e of o.r o#nC that the 1ead6eater ato3
has no standin5 and no /erification in either science or TheosophyG 6y TheosophyC #e 3ean
the teachin5s of the $ahat3as and :.P.B. An i3portant <.estion is #hether the character
and life of !.W. 1ead6eater #ere s.ch as to create confidence in the reality of s.ch a
teachin5. This co/ers a #ide field indeedC and one #hichC alsoC #e reser/e for f.ller
treat3ent.
1ead6eater clai3s to ha/e disco/ered 1, -.lti3ate- ato3s in the hydro5en ato3C so3e
years 6efore the di/isi6ility of the ato3 #as fo.nd 6y scienceC hailin5 this a 5reat proof of his
3ethod. B.t science fo.nd that the hydro5en ato3 has one electron and one protonC t#o
instead of 1, -3inor ato3s.- It is clear that #hate/er it #as that 1ead6eater anticipatedC it
#as not the scientific theory of the ato3. That the ato3 #as diisible( #as no disco/ery of
1ead6eater)s either. As sho#n 6y the #ecret &octrineC Sir Willia3 !rookesC in 1,,,C
ad/anced a theory #hich incl.ded the follo#in5I E1F the ter3 -.lti3ate ato3-O as a
co3ponent part of the che3ical ato3G E2F the consolidation of the che3ical ato3 fro3 pri3al
-seeds- of this nat.reG EF the eBistence of isotopes. EThe last a6o.t 2 years 6efore the
-official- disco/ery.F This theoryC #hich startled the British AssociationC #as appro/ed 6y
:.P.B. 6.t #as too 3.ch for the science of the dayC #hich laid it on the shelf .ntil re/i/ed far in
the present cent.ry - #ith /ery little credit 5i/en either !rookes - an early 3e36er of the
Theosophical Society - or to :.P.B.C in #hose #ork this i3portant anticipation is enshrined as
3ainly tr.e. Whate/er the do.6ts as to ho# 3.ch 1ead6eater 5ot o.t of Ba66ittC one must
ass.3e that he at least read the #ecret &octrine. Science disco/ered the tr.th of #hat
!rookes and :.P.B. saidI it ne/er did find an -ato3- of e/idence for 1ead6eater)s ei5hteen
part hydro5en ato3 or any others of the strin5 of /asesC ;.5sC and other fancy fi5.res that
parade thro.5h 7cc.lt !he3istry. This is the all-important pointI If 1ead6eater)s ato3 can 6e
sho#n to ha/e any e/idence of its eBistence #hate/er eBcept
-------------
O A fa/orite ter3 of 1ead6eater)s
-----------
in the state3ents of 1ead6eaterC then one can pla.si6ly arran5e Ba66ittC !rookesC and
1ead6eater side 6y side as co-disco/erers of a tr.thC 1ead6eater as an ela6orator and
i3pro/er of the others. E@ot a 5reat achie/e3entC since all they co.ld do at 6est #o.ld 6e to
follo# a lon5 distance 6ehind #hat had 6een fir3ly esta6lished 6y Adepts tho.sands of years
a5o.F B.t if it can 6e sho#n that no e/idence eBists at all for the eBistence of s.ch an ato3C
that it contradicts #hat is kno#n a6o.t the ato3 scientificallyC and that it contradicts #hat is
said a6o.t it in the #ecret &octrineC #hich #as all dictated andNor checked 6y the $ahat3as
the3sel/es - then the 1ead6eater ato3 has no le5 to stand on eBcept the faith of neo-
theosophists in 1ead6eater)s character and po#ers. It can 6e sho#n that this is the case.
This is the o/erall indict3entI let .s no# deal #ith that inherent in the description of
1ead6eater)s 3ethods.
Ab initioC there is an off-color to.ch in 1ead6eater)s clai3 to ha/e -anticipated-
scientific disco/ery. The only thin5 he had in co33on #ith scientific disco/ery #as the 3ere
di/isi6ility of the ato3C #hich he co.ld not possi6ly ha/e discoeredC as #e ha/e sho#n.
Second co3e the i3possi6ilities in his descriptions of 3ethod. :e clai3s as the pri3ary
3ethodC -si3ply an intensification of ordinary si5ht.- :e appears to ha/e reco5niAed that the
rods and cones of the retina co.ld notC no 3atter #hat the -intensificationC- re5ister anythin5
as 3in.te as an ato3C so states that this -intensification- is the po#er to di/ert li5ht fro3
these to the -etheric 3atter- of the eye. B.t here he escapes the Scylla of physiolo5y to fall
into the !hary6dis of optics. No light can render isible the form of an obCect smaller than its
o,n ,ae-length" This diffic.lty is 3et in o6ser/in5 6acteriaC of the order of 2.2221
centi3eters in len5th. It is a3eliorated so3e#hat 6y .sin5 .ltra/ioletC 6.t only 3oderately.
The moleculeC often containin5 thousands of atomsC is of the order of 2.22222221 c3. or
1N12C222 the siAe of anythin5 that can 6e seen 6y li5ht. Ro.5hly speakin5C to see the ato3 at
allC to say nothin5 of detailG #o.ld in/ol/e seein5 so3ethin5 a6o.t ten 3illion ti3es as s3all
as anythin5 that li5ht co.ld possi6ly sho# e/en as a 6l.rred o6;ect - no 3atter ho# 3.ch
-intensified.- 76/io.slyC it is a co3plete a6s.rdity to speak of any s.ch /ision as d.e to -an
intensification of ordinary si5ht.- It #o.ld not only re<.ire -etheric 3atter- in the eyeC 6.t a
-li5ht- #holly 6eyond the conception or definition of li5ht as .sed in -ordinary si5ht.- AlsoI the
electron 3icroscope #as in/ented to 5et aro.nd ;.st this diffic.lty.O In the first placeC this
instr.3ent #as de/eloped fro3 a theory of the ato3 #holly contradictory to that of
1ead6eater. In the second placeC it does sho# ato3s. That isC at a 3a5nification of
1(%C222C222 it #ill sho# circular shado#s in the arran5e3ents #here the theory places the
car6on ato3sC say of a 6enAene rin5. The hydrogen ato3s attached to s.ch a rin5C are so
/ery s3all that it re<.ires considera6le i3a5ination to 3ake o.t their shado#s at all on an
electron 3icroscopic
-----------
O See correction .nder -What is An Ato3?-
---------
plate.O $any of s.ch photo5raphs ha/e no# 6een 3adeC th.s /erifyin5 the teachin5 of :.P.B.
that the pri3al for3 of all 6ein5sC fro3 ato3 to an5elC is spherical. @o ;.5 or /ase has e/er
once appeared o.t of the e3pyrean to steady .p the #o66lin5 fa3e of !.W. 1ead6eater. 7f
co.rseC on the sa3e 6asic principle of opticsC the clai3 of -color- as a property of the ato3C is
.nconditionally a6s.rd. -!olorC- in the /is.al senseC is the effect prod.ced on the retinaC not
6y -spirillae- #ithin an ato3C 6.t 6y #a/es d.e to the 3ass 3otion of #hole 3olec.les.
!onsiderin5 the -ato3 3icroscope- - e/erythin5 said a6o/e is also fatal to that notionG in
addition to the fact that the ato3s co.ld not 6e or5aniAed into 3icroscopes #itho.t first a
thoro.5h 3astery of the3 6y the a6o/e discredited 3ethod of -intensified si5ht.-
+.rther foolishness appears in the clai3 that to see a /ery s3all o6;ect a /ery s3all
3icroscope is needed. The re/erse is tr.e. The only 3anner in #hich an ato3 3icroscope
co.ld 6e .sef.l in o6ser/in5 an ato3 or anythin5 elseC ,ould require an obserer of atomic
si;e. It is s.rprisin5 that 1ead6eater did not think of shrinkin5 hi3self - no 5reat feat in a c.lt
clai3in5 that the 6est #ay to destroy an e/il -tho.5ht-for3- #as to -5et inside it and eBpand
s.ddenly.- EThis #as an act.al ans#er to a <.estion #hich appeared in a neo-theosophical
3a5aAine.F
A sinister aspect is p.t on the thin5 6y the fact that 1ead6eater)s ato3 #as credi6le
eno.5h - or at leastC no tan5i6le fact #as kno#n to discredit it at that timeC in science. B.t a
scientific theory #hich at this date has prod.ced the ato3 and hydro5en 6o36sC act.al
pict.res of ato3s in their 3olec.lar arran5e3entsC #hich follo# the theoryC and 6y an
instr.3entC the electron 3icroscopeC #hich #as 6.ilt .pon that theoryC has so3ethin5 3ore
on the 6all than p.re fancy - especially as it a5rees point 6y point #ith #hat #as said in The
#ecret &octrine( #hich latter o.5ht to 3ean something at leastC to anyone #ith the face to call
hi3self a Theosophist.OO And it is precisely that theoryC standin5 side 6y side #ith the #"&"C
that says @7? to the 1ead6eater ato3.
1ead6eater)s proced.re is 3ore lo5ically eBplainedC step 6y stepC in the follo#in5I
1. The deri/ation of the di/isi6ility of the ato3 fro3 The #ecret &octrine.
----------------
O To indicate the scale of 3a5nit.des 6ein5 dealt #ithC a fair-siAed th.36nail 3a5nified
to that de5reeC #o.ld co/er the Hnited States fro3 the Pacific to 3ore than half-#ay to the
Atlantic. This is the order of 3a5nification 1ead6eater clai3s 6y -an intensification of ordinary
si5ht.-
OO Re5ardin5 the physical aspect of the ato3C as :.P.B. pointed o.t and $r. Barratt has
noted in correspondenceG science is far fro3 s.spectin5 the realC metaphysical constit.tion of
it.
---------------
2. The adoption of the Ba66itt ato3 as its detailed for3.
. The a6sence of ad/erse scientific e/idence at that time. E1,0%.F
". The settin5 aside of the #ecret &octrine teachin5sC .nder co/er of the syste3atic
attacks and atte3pts to rele5ate her to the 6ack shelf - al3ost 122 percent s.ccessf.l - #hich
#ere at that ti3e acco3panyin5 the attacks on =.d5eC #ho #as tryin5 to .phold her #ork to
the death.
%. The hypnosis of Annie BesantC pro6a6ly 6y 1ead6eater hi3selfC into seein5 the
sa3e for3sG a process descri6ed as -3a5netiAation- 6y her #hen !hakra/arti -i3parted- to
her the -po#er- to see and hear a -$ahat3a- 5i/in5 her instr.ctions in that fa3o.s case.
@o# the a6o/e i3plies not only conscio.s dishonesty on the part of 1ead6eaterC 6.t
the acti/e practice of 6lack 3a5ic on a fairly potent scale. :ere #e perforce also enter the
<.estion of character. Was 1ead6eater that sort of 3an? :is clai3s in the3sel/es place hi3
as ha/in5 the po#ers of a /ery hi5h 6ein5 - in factC as ha/in5 po#ers #hich the $ahat3as
the3sel/es ne/er clai3ed. The fact of his 3akin5 it sho#s that he 3.st ha/e 6een a
$ahat3aC a charlatanC or a l.natic. We think the case is s.fficiently pro/en 6y the incident
reported 6y WoodC p. 1%'-%( of yo.r Dece36er n.36er. It is si3ply an incident of incitin5 a
/acillatin5 /icti3C 6y appeal to prideC /anityC and a.thorityC into co33ittin5 per;.ry in s.pport of
1ead6eater)s clai3s.
EThis is as follo#sC for non-readers of The Canadian TheosophistI
....1et .s eBa3ine a con/ersation 6et#een $r. 1ead6eater and one of the -Initiates.-
-Initiation- took place on the astral plane d.rin5 the sleep of the physical 6ody. This indi/id.al
had 6een told that he had 6een initiated - 6.t .nfort.nately he co.ld not re3e36er the
cere3ony? The con/ersation took place 6efore the -initiate- #as to 6e called as a #itness in a
certain caseC and he #as f.ll of anBiety a6o.t it.
-Whate/er shall I say if they ask 3e a6o.t 3y 6ein5 an Initiate? I do not re3e36er
anythin5 at all of it.-
$r. 1ead6eater)s reply #asI -B.t Why don)t yo. re3e36er? 8o. o.5ht to 6e a6le to
re3e36er.-
-WellC if I let 3y i3a5ination play on itC I can 5et a sort of i3pression a6o.t it.-
-That is ;.st #hat yo. o.5ht to do. There is a ca.se for s.ch i3a5inin5s. :o# can yo.
eBpect yo.r clair/oyant po#er to de/elop if yo. destroy its delicate 6e5innin5s?- E<.oted fro3
)s This Theosophy9C 4.4. WoodF
$r. Wood #ent on to sayI -It is do.6tf.l #hether any clair/oyant operates thro.5h
senses in any #ay co3para6le #ith those fa3iliar to .s as si5htC hearin5 and the rest. It is
3ore pro6a6le that #hen i3pressions are clearly recei/ed in ter3s of these.... it is d.e to
)/is.aliAation) s.peri3posed .pon the i3pressionC and for3in5 a species of interpretation.
When I p.t this theory 6efore $r. 1ead6eaterC he <.ite a5reed to it and #rote a passa5e to
that effect in one of his 6ooks.-
EThe a6o/e para5raph sets o.t s.33arilyC the ordinary and accustomed process used
by creatie ,riters in their daily ,or!C accordin5 to the res.lts of a close st.dy carried on for
3any years concernin5 the .se of the -s.6conscio.s- in creati/e #ritin5. To recei/e an
-i3pression- fro3 the deep s.6li3inal selfC to #ork .pon the 6asic i3pressionC ela6oratin5C
in/entin5C lettin5 the story 3akin5 fac.lty ha/e f.ll s#ayC s.6;ect to the censorship of the
3indC is a process fa3iliar to and .sed 6y 3any #riters.F
We fear that those #ho cannot see the insidio.s and dishonest nat.re of this incident -
to say nothin5 of the a6s.rdity of the /ie# of -!lair/oyance- in/ol/ed - ;.st do not speak
eno.5h of the sa3e ethical or Theosophical lan5.a5eC for any real 3eans of co33.nication
to eBist 6et#een the3sel/es and .s. B.t this incident is <.ite typical of the entire 1ead6eater
psyche-t#istin5 .pon #hich this c.lt is 6ased. @or do #e see ho# anyone co.ld possi6ly
ha/e any faith in his -clair/oyance- after the >rishna3.rti fiasco - #hich also in/ol/ed a
fanatical appeal to eBactly those ele3ents of personal reli5ion 3ost detested 6y the $asters.
@o#C since Dr. Bendit chooses to di/ert the iss.e 6y personal aspersions a5ainst $r.
BarrattC #hile at the sa3e ti3e i5norin5 in deep silence the stron5est points 3ade 6y the
latterC #e think that so3e respects paid to the learned Doctor alsoC are in order.
:e clai3s to 6e one of the -intelli5ent +.T.S.- #ho -reser/e a 6alanced ;.d5e3ent- in
re5ard to -3atters 6eyond their ken- - s.ch as 1ead6eater)s /isions. !redi6ly said /isions are
6eyond his ken as /isions. B.t is the <.estion of #hether or not the /isions ,ere real in
the3sel/esC #hether or not 1ead6eater #as a fra.d or del.sionaryC 6eyond the ken of any
-intelli5ent +.T.S.?- If he says it isC he is 3erely sayin5 that if so3eone p.ts forth an
eBtra/a5ant clai3 of kno#led5e 6eyond the nor3al 3ortal ran5eC he there6y a.to3atically
p.ts hi3self 6eyond <.estion as to 3oti/e and tr.th. This is 3erely to say that intellectC
reasonC and indi/id.al perceptionC 3oral and fact.alC 3.st al#ays stand aside #hene/er a
6old and .n6l.shin5 clai3 of hi5her kno#led5e raises its headC at 3ost adoptin5 a p.rely
ne.tral position. In other #ordsC do.6t is do.6tf.lly le5alC 6.t act.al opposition is the res.lt of
6ias and 6itterness. .pposition to 1ead6eater is definitely opposed. This is no -reser/ed
;.d53ent.- We cannot .nderstand #hat he 3eans 6y 1ead6eater not clai3in5 a.thority 6.t
settin5 forth his /isions as act.al personal eBperiences -for consideration.- In /ie# of the fact
that 1ead6eater and his friends clai3ed hi3 to 6e -on the threshold of di/inityC- and that
stat.s #as s.pported 6y the presti5e of the 3ost infl.ential people in the Society - #hat else
co.ld s.ch a position 6e 6.t the /ery essence of a.thority? 1ead6eater left no 3oderate
5ro.nd for opponents to stand on. By clai3in5 that his eBperiences #ere personal and direct
- the the3e -I kno#C for I 3yself ha/e seenC- r.ns thro.5h his #orks like tele5raph poles
thro.5h a rail#ay ;o.rney - he left no alternati/e for non-6elie/ers to consider hi3 other than a
liar or a l.naticC or 6oth. It #as either thisC or s.rrender and keep silent - the act of a co#ard
#here one is honestly concerned o/er #elfare of the $o/e3ent. There is no roo3 here for
ordinaryC resol/a6le h.3an errors of infor3ation or ded.ction. The 3an has to 6e a
$ahat3aC a 6lack5.ardC or a proper case for a padded cellC and is placed in that position
precisely 6y his o#n acts and those of his de/otees. This 6ein5 soC any 3an has as 3.ch
ri5ht to d.6 hi3 a 6lack5.ard as another 3an has to na3e hi3 a sainted adept - and to say
so. Bendit o6/io.sly thinks that to eBercise this ri5ht is a reflection .pon personal character.
The coeBistence of this position #ith the clai3 of -reser/ed ;.d53ent- co.ld only 6e
considered hypocrisy eBcept that it is so typical of the thoro.5hly conf.sed 3ental processes
pre/alent in neo-Theosophy.
If yo.r o#n re3arks on p. 1%(C Dece36er iss.eC really apply to the 1ead6eater
))clair/oyanceC- they place hi3 precisely as a pioneer #riter of science fiction and fantastic
fiction. We #o.ld not p.t his talents in that field /ery hi5hC 6eca.se he is not as 5ood in style
or plottin5 as =.les *erne or :.9. WellsG 6.t #e #o.ld not o6;ect 3.ch to hi3 thereC
-6eca.se he #o.ld not 6e the ca.se of 3isleadin5 tho.sands of people philosophically and
TheosophicallyC and of keepin5 split a 3o/e3ent .pon #hose .lti3ate s.ccess the fate of
ci/iliAation depends. As it isC .nless so3ethin5 is done to kill this 3ytholo5yC it #ill 5o do#n
the cent.ries as another of the false reli5ions di/idin5 3ankind and leadin5 to .ntold tra5edy.
We #ill shortly - pro6a6ly neBt iss.e - p.6lish this letter #ith additional re3arks to
clarify the 3atter for o.r readers #ho do not see The Canadian Theosophist.
$eanti3eC #e challen5e Bendit to ans#er - ans,erC not e/ade - this letter.
- 4ditorsC Theosophical Notes.
@o# the act.al iss.es are /eryC /ery 3.ch lar5er than the -ato3s- of $r. Ba66itt or $r.
1ead6eaterC or e/en the continent-siAed th.36nail. They 5o to the roots of #hat is #ron5 in
Theosophy todayC and #hy it has s.ch poor standin5 in the #orld. As fre<.ently happens
#hen an iss.e is 6ein5 readied for printC #e find o.r hand so3e#hat forced in this directionG
and as this sort of thin5 cannot 6e properly dealt #ith in 6rief spaceC #e 3ay as #ell 5o into it
as f.lly as #e did the Pasadena Society and its reliquiae last ti3e. If so3e are 6ored there6yC
let the3 6e of 5ood cheerG #e 5et aro.nd to 6orin5 e/ery6ody sooner or later - once at least.
We s.55estC ho#e/erC that 6oredo3 6e resistedC 6eca.se #e propose to try to 5rasp the neck
of the snake that #ill kill the $o/e3ent if stren.o.s efforts are not 3ade.
.ccult Chemistry is not an isolated or accidental pheno3enon. It is a lo5ical link in a
fatal se<.ence that #e clai3 #as planned. We propose to eBpose the planC and its roots 5o
6ack to a period 6efore 1ead6eater)s 3eteoric rise to po#er in the Society. We shall set forth
firstC a se<.ence.
II. THE P&E-LEAD/EATE& CYCLE.
We ha/e spoken of a planC in #hich the kind of teachin5 and tactics e36odied in
.ccult Chemistry #as only one link. To p.t it definiti/elyC that plan had as its o6;ect the doin5
a#ay #ith the Theosophy of Bla/atsky and the $astersC and s.6stit.tin5 thereforC a facsi3ile
reasona6le eno.5h to decei/e the .n#aryC 6.t .nreasona6le eno.5h to lead its /otaries into a
spirit.al 6lind alleyC as to their o#n pro5ressC and to credit Theosophy itself in the p.6lic 3ind.
The contro/ersial e/ents of the $o/e3entC cas.ally readC see3 to record 3erely a
disco.ra5in5 chronicle of h.3an follyC pre;.diceC prideC /anity and i5noranceC and ha/e seen
in it only that. B.t the /ery 6lackness of the h.3an record seen in silho.ette a5ainst the
6ri5ht li5ht - to so3e the 6lindin5 li5ht of Theosophy itselfC o.5ht to sho# that the open record
is one thin5C the hidden forces and press.res so3ethin5 elseG so3ethin5 in #hich the /isi6le
fi5.res #ere p.ppets rather than pri3e 3o/ers. We propose to first 6riefly eBa3ine this
/isi6le record in lo5ical steps. 1ar5ely the doc.3ented record is taken fro3 The +istory of
the Theosophical 'oement(
p.6lished 6y 4.P. D.tton !o3pany in 102%. So3e ded.ctions follo#in5 it are assisted 6y
pri/ate state3ents of =.d5e and othersC and 3iscellaneo.s letters and infor3ation of other
kinds #hich the 4ditors of the a6o/e /ol.3e either did not ha/eC or did not choose to .se.
1. +ollo#in5 the death of :.P. Bla/atsky in 1,01C a #ar 6roke o.t 6et#een Willia3 P.
=.d5eC then *ice-President of the SocietyC and a n.36er of pro3inent 3e36ersC o/er her
stat.s as an A5ent of the $ahat3asG =.d5e clai3in5 that she #as the realC bona fideC and
chief teacher to the Western #orldC that her #ritin5s #ere in accord #ith those of the $astersC
and /alid as the eBposition of tr.e Theosophy. :is opponents alle5ed that she #as an
irresponsi6le 3edi.3C .ntr.st#orthy and so3eti3es .ntr.thf.l. This in f.rtherance of certain
alterations in her teachin5s #hich they insisted .pon. This fe.d had 6een si33erin5 for
so3e ti3e pre/io.sly.
2. :.P.B.C in 1,,0C had #ritten concernin5 =.d5eI
1ondonC 7ct. 2C 1,,0.
.....The 4soteric Section and its life in the H.S.A. depend .pon W.P.=. re3ainin5 its
a5ent and #hat he is no#. The day W.P.=. resi5nsC :.P.B. #ill 6e /irt.ally dead for the
A3ericans. W.P.=. is the Antas!arana Ethe -1ink-F 6et#een the t#o 'anasEesFC the A3erican
tho.5ht and the Indian - or rather the trans-:i3alayan esoteric kno#led5e. DiBi. :.P.B. .).
Ep. "%2C The +istory of the Theosophical al 'oement.F
EThe .). follo#in5 :.P.B.)s si5nat.re sho#s that she #as not #ritin5 in her o#n
personality nor eBpressin5 a personal opinion.F
. Annie BesantC co-head #ith =.d5e of the 4.S.C stood #ith =.d5e d.rin5 these attacks
.ntil 1,0.
". In that yearC 9.@. !hakra/artiC a Brah3inC arri/ed in the H.S. to attend the !on5ress
of Reli5ions of that year .nder Theosophical a.spices.
%. Annie Besant 6eca3e spirit.ally infat.ated #ith !hakra/arti and spent se/eral
3onths in s.ch close association #ith hi3 that he slept o.tside her door to -protect- herC and
took her -occ.lt ed.cation- in hand. A3on5 his 3inistrationsC he -3a5netiAed- her. E7ne can
appreciate the appeal of this ro3antic at3osphereG 6.t it see3s to .s that 3at.re 3inds
3i5ht ha/e felt that thin5s #ere 5ettin5 a little o.t of 6alance.F
'. These associations and actions #ere in 5ross /iolation of Annie Besant)s pled5e and
the R.les of the 4soteric SectionC of #hich she #as a pro6ationer. EThe 3ini3.3 ti3e
re<.ired to pass pro6ation in any case #hatsoe/erC e/en that of an 7riental steeped in occ.lt
tho.5ht and st.dy fro3 childhoodC is se/en years. Annie Besant had 6een appointed co-head
#ith =.d5eC her -occ.lt- senior 6y 3any yearsC 6y the act of the !o.ncil of the 4.S. - itself
co3posed of .nf.lfilled pro6ationers.F
(. =.d5e repri3anded Annie Besant for these 6reaches and the 6ad i3pression her
association #ith !hakra/arti #as 3akin5.
,. The relationship 6et#een Brah3anis3 and Theosophy in the 4ast is the sa3e as
that 6et#een the !atholic !h.rch and Theosophy in the West - irresol/a6le opposition.
0. All 4.S. !andidates had 6een serio.sly #arned that any strayin5 fro3 the
prescri6ed discipline of the 4.S. #o.ld res.lt in the -loss of 3oral 6alance .nconscio.sly to
the3sel/es.-
12. 7n +e6. 'C 1,0"C Annie Besant handed !ol. :.S. 7lcottC President of the SocietyC
#ho #as then thoro.5hly anta5onistic to#ard =.d5eC a re<.est that char5es a5ainst =.d5e of
3is.sin5 the hand#ritin5 of the $astersC and deli/erin5 false 3essa5es fro3 the3C 6e
for3.lated and laid 6efore a =.dicial !o33ittee.
11. 7n +e6. (thC 7lcott #rote =.d5eC 5i/in5 hi3 the choice 6et#een resi5nin5 fro3 all
offices in the SocietyC and facin5 s.ch a !o33ittee.
12. 7n $arch 12thC =.d5e ca6led 7lcott that the char5es #ere false. 7n $arch 1%thC
he #rote a co33.nication to the 3e36ers e3phasiAin5 thisC personally acceptin5 the
in/esti5ationC 6.t 5oin5 on record that it #as ille5al .nder the !onstit.tion of the SocietyC as it
#o.ld necessarily seek to esta6lish officially the eBistence of the $astersC a pri/ile5e of p.rely
pri/ate 6elief in the Society.
1. =.d5e #as not allo#ed to see the teBt of the char5es a5ainst hi3 in order to
for3.late a proper replyC altho.5h he se/eral ti3es de3anded a copy.
1". A personal letter fro3 7lcott to =.d5eC #hichC so far as #e kno#C has ne/er 6een
printedC saysI -Since #hen has an acc.sed cri3inal 6een allo#ed to see the char5es a5ainst
hi3C 6efore 6ein5 called .p in co.rt?-
1%. 7n $arch 22thC 7lcott s.spended =.d5e fro3 office as *ice-PresidentC pendin5 the
hearin5 of the char5es.
1'. 7n April 2(thC 7lcott e3po#ered Annie Besant to represent hi3 as President)s
!o33issionerI
...$rs. Besant is e3po#ered to or5aniAe a Section or SectionsG to a.thoriAe the
for3ation of 6ranchesG to ad3it persons to the +ello#shipG to re5.late disa5ree3ents and
disp.tes #ithin the SocietyG to re3it at her discretion in cases of 5reat po/erty the #hole or
any part of any fee or other pec.niary contri6.tion char5ea6le as a condition of 3e36ershipG
andC 5enerallyC to eBercise the sa3e po#ers as are constit.tionally en;oyed 6y the
.ndersi5ned in his Presidential capacity .....Ep. "0'.F
E:ere #e see the first seeds of the astonishin5 -!onstit.tion- of $r. =a3es 1on5)s
present interestin5 Society. See Notes for Dece36erC 10%.F
1(. A terrific protest arose fro3 /ario.s i3portant 3e36ers of the Society a5ainst
=.d5e)s treat3ent.
1,. The in<.iry #as set for =.ne 2(C 1,0". It #as postponed .ntil =.ly (th #hile 7lcott
tried to arran5e a co3pro3ise #ith =.d5e that #o.ld o6/iate the necessity or holdin5 it.
10. =.d5e insisted that since his opponents had initiated the char5es of dishonora6le
cond.ctC had s.spended hi3C and placed hi3 in a 6ad li5ht 6efore the SocietyC the
proceedin5s 3.st 6e carried o.tC and allo# hi3 to /indicate hi3self.
22. After a 3eetin5 of the 9eneral !o.ncil had passed fa/ora6ly on the holdin5 of a
=.dicial !o33itteeC said !o33ittee 3etC #ith Annie Besant as =.d5e)s acc.ser.
21. 7lcott then 3ade the follo#in5 state3entsI
EaF =.d5e had 6een -d.ly s.pplied- #ith the char5es.
E6F =.d5e had ca.sed -6ad feelin5- a5ainst 7lcott 6y 3akin5 hi3 see3 the acc.ser
instead of Annie Besant.
EcF =.d5e #as le5ally tria6le.
EdF The char5es a5ainst =.d5e consisted of i3itatin5 the hand#ritin5 of the 6oasters.
EeF The char5es did not in/ol/e the <.estion of #hether or not the $asters eBistC
#hether or not they ha/e reco5niAa6le hand#ritin5sC or #hether or not they had a.thoriAed
=.d5e to iss.e 3essa5es in their na3es.
EfF By electin5 to defend hi3selfC =.d5e had placed the !o33ittee in a dile33aG
6eca.se not to listen to his defenseC #o.ld 6e 3onstro.sC and to listen to it #o.ld 6e to pass
on #hether the $ahat3as eBisted - and .nconstit.tional. :enceC the in<.iry 3.se not
proceed.
E5F :e #as co3pelled to ad3it that in spite of -so3e preli3inary <.i66lin5 and .nfair
tacticsC- =.d5e had co3e fro3 A3erica to 3eet trialC and had a/o#ed his #illin5ness to ha/e
the char5es in/esti5ated. EAfter 3any yearsC Theosophical Notes has finally disco/ered #hat
so3e of the still .np.6lished facts #ere that he #as to ha/e prod.ced in his defense.F
22. 7lcott rescinded the s.spension of =.d5e.
2. The !o33ittee adopted a resol.tion to print and distri6.te the proceedin5s.
2". T#o 3e36ersC B.rro#s and St.rdyC 3o/ed and seconded to print the char5es #ith
the proceedin5s. EThey had 6oth 6een in opposition to =.d5e in his defense of :.P.B.F
2%. The !o33ittee /oted do#n this resol.tionC as it #o.ld 6roadcast the char5es
a5ainst =.d5e #itho.t 5i/in5 hi3 d.e opport.nity to defend hi3self.
2'. The Report of the !o33ittee o3itted the na3es of /oters for and a5ainst the
resol.tions.
2(. The o.tco3e res.lted in a hea/y fire of society criticis3 a5ainst 7lcott and Besant.
2,. Annie Besant proposed to Dr. =.D. B.ck that an .nofficial -;.ry of honor- 6e
i3paneled to pass on the case.
20. B.ck o6;ected that =.d5e still had not 6een f.rnished a copy of the char5es a5ainst
hi3C and that the 3a;ority of na3es she s.63itted for the -;.ry- #ere kno#n to 6e a5ainst
=.d5e already.
2. Besant proposed that she and =.d5e each read a state3ent to the forthco3in5
4.ropean !on/entionC #hich sho.ld then decide on proper action.
1. This #as done. Annie BesantC in the !on/entionC said that she had dis6elie/ed
3any of the char5es and considered others eBa55eratedC 6.t had 3ade the personal sacrifice
of for3.latin5 the3 in order to 6rin5 thin5s to a head and clear the air.
2. 7lcott stated that he co.ld not lea/e Annie Besant to take the entire responsi6ility
for the char5esC 6eca.se he had asked her to 3ake the3. ESee 21-6 a6o/e.F
. =.d5e 6riefly repeated that he #as innocentC #ith so3e eBplanatory re3arks.
". Annie Besant red.ced the char5es to the acc.sation that =.d5e had 5i/en o.t
3essa5es telepathically recei/ed fro3 the $asters in totters in their hand,riting. EIn a n.36er
of cases in pre/io.s Theosophical literat.reC this had 6een sho#n to 6e standard practiceG
the 3odern reader can find it in The 'ahatma Letters.F
%. Annie Besant stated that the chan5es that she had 6ro.5ht -to clear the air- - Eo.r
eBpressionF co3e fro3 persons -inspired lar5ely 6y personal hatred for $r. =.d5eC- and
-persons inspired 6y hatred for the Theosophical Society and all that it represents.- EThe
Pled5e that she had si5ned as a pro6ationary chela calls for -listenin5 to no e/il thin5 said
a5ainst a 6rother Theosophist #itho.t protestC- .nless one kno#s that it is tr.eG in #hich
caseC one sho.ld re3ain silent.F
'. The con/ention hailed #ith ;oy the -ad;.st3ent- 6et#een Annie Besant and =.d5e.
The 3e36ers tho.5ht e/erythin5 satisfactorily settledC and an era of internal peace at hand.
(. As the 3e36ers left the hallC they #ere handed a doc.3ent si5ned 6y se/en
na3esC 7lcottC SinnettC St.rdyC BesantC >ei5htleyC Wynn WescottC and - !.W. 1ead6eater.
This doc.3ent dealt elo<.ently #ith the sin of deceit and self-deceit .nder the na3e of
occ.ltis3. All the si5ners eBcept Annie Besant and 1ead6eater had openly opposed =.d5e in
his defense of :.P.B. It #as o6/io.s that they #ere not referrin5 to themseles. This
doc.3ent #ill 6e fo.nd on p. %"' of the 102% edition of The +istory of the Theosophical
'oement" Read only in the li5ht of the p.6lic recordC it sho.ld stand as an all-ti3e hi5h in
Pecksniffian hypocrisy. B.t there #as 3ore to it than that.
This is the first si5nificant entry of !.W. 1ead6eater on the scene.
,. I33ediately follo#in5 thisC the anti-=.d5e ca6al 6e5an the circ.lation of /ario.s
articles and letters all o6/io.sly -slanted- a5ainst =.d5e. +ro3 that ti3e onC =.d5e #as
ha6it.ally spoken of as -pro/en 5.iltyC- and as ha/in5 -e/aded ;.stice.-
0. At the death of :.P.B.C she had left =.d5e as de facto :ead of the 4soteric Section
in the H.S.A.C her -only personal representati/e in A3ericaG- and Annie Besant as -!hief
Secretary of the Inner 9ro.p of the 4soteric Section and Recorder of the Teachin5s.-
"2. 7n @o/. C 1,0"C =.d5e deposed $rs. Besant fro3 her co-headship of the 4soteric
School - to #hich she had 6een ele/atedC as notedC 6y a !o.ncil co3posed of pro6ationers
itself. The occasion for the deposition #as her 5ross 6reach of the R.les and her Pled5e.
This action #as o6li5atory .nder the r.les for anyone #ho held the headship. It has 6een
ar5.ed that =.d5e #as the head only for A3erica. =.d5e stated that the deposition #as also
6y -$aster)s 7rder.- EIf this #as a tr.e state3entC the -$aster)s 7rder- a.to3atically
appointed =.d5e as :ead.F .n the record( Annie Besant had to be disciplined or the #chool
and its -ules abandoned by the 'astersC since s.ch 6reachesC open and .nre6.kedC #o.ld
ha/e 3ade it .seless. These 6reaches #ere 6reaches re5ardless of the 3erits or de3erits of
the -=.d5e !ase- itselfI Whether =.d5e #ere ri5ht or #ron5C the handlin5 of the case defied
all r.les. Thro.5h #ho3 else than =.d5e co.ld discipline 6e applied? If the $ahat3as
instr.cted =.d5e to depose Annie BesantC their order /indicated =.d5e as a.to3atically as it
appointed hi3 -:ead.- The real st.dent of the $o/e3ent #ill assay the 3erit of this order in
the li5ht of the case as a #holeC not on -faith- in either =.d5e or Annie Besant.
"1. Annie Besant ref.sed to 6e deposed and split the school 6et#een her follo#ers
and those of =.d5e. She i33ediately le/ied ar3s a5ainst =.d5e in a ne# #arC s.pported 6y
all the ori5inal anti-=.d5ites.
"2. 7lcott clai3ed that =.d5e sho.ld resi5n because of the things he had been
accused of. EWitho.t ha/in5 6een allo#ed to defend hi3self.F
". Annie Besant called on =.d5e to resi5n as *ice-PresidentC s.63ittin5 hi3self to
reelection after#ard if he #ished.
"". The Indian SectionC at $rs. Besant)s #ishC adopted the follo#in5 resol.tionsI That
the President re<.est =.d5e to resi5nG that he 6e re<.ested to call on =.d5e for a f.ll and
satisfactory reply to the char5es a5ainst hi3 #ithin siB 3onthsG that failin5 s.ch ans#erC
steps 6e taken to eBpel hi3 fro3 the Society.
"%. =an.aryC 1,0%C Annie Besant asked 7lcott for the doc.3entary char5es a5ainst
=.d5e for circ.lation to the 3e36ers.
"'. 7lcottC in s.pplyin5 the3C instr.cted her to s.pply =.d5e #ith copies for his
infor3ation and .se. E=.d5e still had not seen the e/idence a5ainst hi3.F
"(. =an. 2%thC =.d5e ref.sed to eBplain anythin5 .ntil he had seen the doc.3entsC
notin5 that his open ene3ies had 6een alloyed to 3ake copies of the3.
",. April 1,0%C Annie Besant and 9.R.S. $ead iss.ed a 6ooklet of ,, pa5es a5ainst
=.d5eC concl.din5I
8hereas $r. W.P. =.d5e has 6een called on to resi5n the office of *ice-President of
the Theosophical Society 6y the IndianC A.stralasianC and 4.ropean SectionsC 6.t has not
co3plied #ith their re<.estG and
8hereas he has e/aded the ;.risdiction of the =.dicial !o33ittee of =.lyC 1,0"C
ref.sed a =.ry of :ono.rC and has since 5i/en no f.ll and satisfactory eBplanation to the
Society in ans#er to the char5es 6ro.5ht a5ainst hi3I
-esoledI That this !on/ention of the 4.ropean Section of the Theosophical Society
.nites #ith the Indian and A.stralasian Sections in de3andin5 his eBp.lsion fro3 the SocietyC
and re<.ests the President-+o.nder to i33ediately take action to carry o.t the de3ands of
these three Sections of the T.S.
- Annie BesantC +.T.S.
- 9.R.S. $eadC +.T.S. Ep. '10F
"0. Addressin5 the Sectional con/ention of 102(C in #hich she #as defendin5
1ead6eater a5ainst 5ra/e 3oral char5es o/er #hich his resi5nation had 6een re<.ested - he
resi5ned - Annie Besant saidI -@oC I ha/e ne/er 6een in fa/or of eBp.lsion. In the tro.6le
that arose ro.nd a 5reat TheosophistC $r. =.d5eC 3any years a5oC #hen a 3otion #as
6ro.5ht for#ard in India for his eBp.lsionC I opposed it.- Ep. '21.F
%2. AprilC 1,0%C the A3erican SectionC fed .pC declared independence of the Society
and elected =.d5e President for life. Th.s the first and inc.ra6le split in the $o/e3ent.
%1. In 102%C or therea6o.tsC the 4ditors of the $o/e3ent - #ho #ere 4ditors of Theosophy
$a5aAineC - sent to the head<.arters of Annie Besant)s societyC an ad/ance /ol.3e
containin5 the a6o/e and 3.ch 3oreC in detailC and asked for co33ents. EAnnie Besant and
1ead6eater #ere /ery 3.ch ali/e.F
%2. !o33entI -We)ll s.e for li6el?-
%. ReplyI -We)ll print. Please s.e?-
%". Printed.
%%. @o s.it.
III. 6HY?
The a6o/e record has ne/er 6een s.ccessf.lly defended. So far as #e ha/e 6een
a6le to findC no serio.s atte3pt has 6een 3ade to dispro/e it. As it is all doc.3ented in
detailC the only defense possi6le #o.ld 6e to ad/ance additional facts that 3i5ht tend to ;.stify
the actions taken. In factC they need not 3erely defenseG they need f.rther eBplanation to
3ake then .nderstanda6le at allC on any credi6le 5ro.nds. The policy of the SocietyC .nder
Besant and 1ead6eaterC and later .nder the neo-theosophical 5ro.p in 5eneralC see3s to
ha/e 6een to try to keep all kno#led5e of this /ol.3e and the doc.3entary history on #hich it
is 6asedC fro3 its 3e36ersC and to hope for the 6est. In the :istory itselfC so3e f.rther
eBplanation and interpretation is 5i/enC 6.t not as 3.ch as needed for a clear .nderstandin5C
nor as 3.ch as is no# in the hands of this p.6lication.
The record in/ol/es not 3erely an ethical pro6le3 as to ho# these fi5.res ca3e to act
in that 3annerC 6.t a pro6le3 in rationality. We ha/e here not only a 5ro.p of people /o#ed
to the hi5hest altr.is3 and honora6le personal cond.ct actin5 like conspirin5 5an5sters in an
atte3pt to destroy so3eone they hated - the hatred 6ein5 alto5ether irrational and o.t of
proportion #ith the alle5ed offenseG 6.t people of ind.6ita6ly hi5h intellect and nor3ally
keen 3entality in a state of 3ental conf.sionC for5etf.lnessC and self-contradiction - or hi5hly
.ns.ccessf.lly lyin5 - that #o.ld 6efit a 5ro.p of retarded children. There is an at3osphere of
frenAied ani3osityC of -5et the 3an o.t of the society at any costC- that cannot 6e eBplained on
this record in itself.
It see3s to .s to point .n3istaka6ly to reasons for destroyin5 =.d5e #hich do3inated
e/erythin5 elseC 6.t #hich his ene3ies #ere .n#illin5 to 3ake p.6lic. So3e ca.ses for
ani3osity #ere clear eno.5h in the increasin5 pre/io.s 6itterness a5ainst =.d5e on the part
of 3e36ers of the ca6al #ho #ere ad/ancin5C or had e36racedC doctrines contradictory to
those of :.P.B.G =.d5e #as defendin5 those doctrines #ith 5reat fir3ness and in ter3s #hich
often did not soothe the opposition. P.ite a history of this 6ickerin5 is 5i/en in the 'oementC
and the eBact points on #hich it re/ol/ed are of far 3ore si5nificance than .s.ally see3s
s.spected. 7lcott #as an opponent of =.d5e in part on these 5ro.ndsC 6.t there #as a 5reat
deal 3ore than that in his case. Sinnett #as /ery 6itterC 6eca.se he had p.6licly sponsored a
3istaken concept concernin5 planetary e/ol.tionC #hich =.d5e as p.6licly eBposed. When
one co3pares Sinnett)s personal characteristics as they are reflected in The 'ahatma
LettersC it is easy to i3a5ine s.ch opposition fro3 an A3erican to 6e <.ite .nend.ra6le to
hi3. @ot only #as the A3erican intellect at a lo# e66 in 4n5lish opinion in those daysC 6.t
Sinnett #as the eBa3ple de lu6e of the st.ffy 4n5lish3an #ho #as constit.tionally incapa6le
of i3a5inin5 any race in the #orld to 6e <.ite the e<.al of the British in any respect #hate/er.
This kind of 4n5lish3an is no# at a lo# e66 hi3selfG ;.d5in5 6y personal contacts and
correspondenceC #e do.6t that he eBists any 3ore in si5nificant n.36ers. B.t e/en in 102%C
#hen the 'oement #as printedC this international phase #as too -to.chy- a s.6;ect to 6e
allo#ed in the pict.re. The feel that the sit.ation has no# chan5ed eno.5h to allo# of its
disc.ssion.
Annie Besant #as /ery 3.ch of an 4n5lish#o3anG 6.t not in that sense. We do.6t
that national pre;.diceC either conscio.s or .nconscio.sC entered into her case. It #as
so3ethin5 else #ith her. 1ead6eater had 6een a cler5y3an of the !h.rch of 4n5landC and
his later record sho#ed that he ne/er really left it - .nless to enter spirit.ally the Ro3an
!atholic !h.rch instead. So far as 1ead6eater #as concernedC =.d5e had t#o strikes a5ainst
hi3 to 6e5in #ith. =.d5e #as /i5oro.sly opposin5 the anthropo3orphic conception of reli5ion
that #as 1ead6eater)s 6asic preocc.pationG and as /i5oro.sly opposin5 all psychic and
spirit.alistic practicesC these 6ein5 1ead6eater)s secondaryC or perhaps pri3aryC addiction.
That a third strikeC and o.tC consisted of his 6ein5 an A3ericanC is concei/a6le. 1ead6eater
and Sinnett #ere linked to5etherC -3.t.ally aidin5 and enco.ra5in5 one anotherG- 6eca.se
Sinnett #as 5ettin5 -3essa5es fro3 the $asters- thro.5h 1ead6eaterC actin5 as 3edi.3G
and those 3essa5es #ere 3.ch 3ore to his likin5 than the ori5inal set #hich appears in The
'ahatma Letters. 7n the other handC Sinnett)s presti5e in the SocietyC as an early and
/ol.3ino.s correspondent direct #ith the $ahat3asC and a.thor of i3portant 6ooks and
articles - so3e of the3 eBcellent - #as enor3o.sG and his s.pport of 1ead6eater #o.ld
hardly ca.se the latter any pain.
P.ite aside fro3 the specific char5es in the caseC there is e/idence eno.5h on the
s.rface that =.d5e #as persona non grataC and had 6een for so3e ti3eC #ith se/eral of the
pro3inent 3e36ers #ho s.pported the attack on hi3. +or one thin5C his presti5e #ith the
Society at lar5e #as s.ch that there #as a li/ely possi6ility of his 6eco3in5 president after
7lcott. 7lcott hi3self #as A3erican to the coreC and in se/eral o6;ectiona6le senses. To
Sinnett the prospect of a second A3erican President in s.ccession #as concei/a6ly near the
li3it of tolerance. P.ite tr.eC all these personal reactions and ani3osities are s.pposed to
ha/e no place in TheosophyG 6.t the history of the thin5 sho#s clearly eno.5h that then as
no#C and in any and e/ery or5aniAationC 3ost people i3port all of the3 into their association
#ith itC and so3eho# find #ays of ;.stifyin5 the3 6y slants dra#n 6y hook or crook fro3 the
teachin5s the3sel/esC rather than 3akin5 a clean s#eep of all their old personalC racialC
nationalC or reli5io.s #ays of lookin5 at thin5s. BritishC A3ericanC or #hatnotC it is all the
sa3e.
B.t the cases of Annie Besant and 7lcott #ere /ery special. @othin5 serio.s co.ld
ha/e 6een done a5ainst =.d5e #itho.t the3 in the first placeG and in the secondC they had
carried 5reater responsi6ilitiesC had 3ore so.rces of kno#led5eC and 3ore infl.ence than any
or all of the other =.d5e-6aiters. All of this sho.ld ha/e ca.sed the3 to act /ery ca.tio.sly
and i3partially indeed. B.t neither ca.tion - eBcept in the sense of lookin5 o.t for personal
standin5 - nor i3partialityC are fo.nd in the record.
The real secret is not hard to find in the case of Annie Besant. She had 6een /ery
close to =.d5eC an ardent and elo<.ent co-s.pporter #ith hi3 of :.P.B.)s teachin5sG and it is
e/ident fro3 the record that she t.rned a5ainst hi3 only #ith diffic.ltyC considera6le personal
painC and after 6ein5 con/inced that it #as her d.ty. What con/inced her of that? 7n her o#n
state3entsC she 6ro.5ht char5es a5ainst hi3 that she !ne, to 6e falseC at least in lar5e partC
in order to clear .p the case. 8et at that ho.rC she #as si5natory to a sacred oath #hich
o6li5ed her to an opposite co.rse. What ca.sed her to do that? 1o5ic says that it 3.st ha/e
6een an -a.thority- identical #ithC or e<.al to that fro3 #hich the ori5inal pled5e deri/ed.
S.ch #as precisely the case. She sa# a -$asterC- astrallyC #ho told her that the Society 3.st
6e p.rified 6y dri/in5 =.d5e fro3 itG -yo.r stren5th #as 5i/en yo. for this.- @o# se/eral
#arnin5s preceded and acco3panied this /ision. In the first placeC she had allo#ed herselfC
defyin5 that sa3e Pled5eC to 6e -3a5netiAed- 6y the 9.@. !hakra/arti afore3entioned. She
had seen no -3asters-C astrally or other#iseC 6efore that. To prod.ce s.ch a /isionC in
#hate/er necessary detailC as a 3atter of post-hypnotic s.55estionC is child)s play.
EWe do not kno# #hat !hakra/arti had a5ainst =.d5e other than the precedin5
#ran5les a6o.t :.P.B. and her teachin5sC in #hich po#erf.l Brah3ins #ere i3plicated.
=.d5e said that he had 6een sent to A3erica as a chelaC 6.t had failed and 6eco3e a /icti3
of opposin5 infl.ences. A fe# years laterC E102'F Annie Besant acc.sed hi3 of 6ein5 the
a5ent of -dark forcesC- 6.t apparently ne/er s.spected that he 3i5ht ha/e 6een so #hen he
-3a5netiAed- her. The infl.ence #ore off to so3e eBtent in later yearsC 6eca.se E3.ch laterF
she 6eca3e conf.sed and do.6tf.l a6o.t her co.rse to#ard =.d5eG ad3ittin5 to a pro3inent
3e36er of the Society that she 3i5ht ha/e 6een #ron5. She ref.sed to say so p.6liclyC and
this 3e36er after#ard left her Society and ;oined H.1.T.F
A second #arnin5 lay in the fact of the poor li5ht s.ch a /ision cast on the #isdo3 of
those #ho set forth the Pled5e ori5inally. S.ch a /ision i3plied that they had s.ch poor
kno#led5e of the f.t.re as to 6e .nder the necessity of flatly settin5 it asideC at the 6iddin5 of
so3e kind of .nidentified e3er5ency. E7/er and o/er a5ainC in the affairs of the Adyar T.S. as
else#hereC #e enco.nter -5o/ern3ent 6y e3er5encyG- a hysterical r.shin5 of the
3e36ership into so3e rash 3o/e3ent 6y the insistence that so3e dire e3er5ency - .s.ally
.nspecified - called for settin5 asideC at least this onceC of all the 6asic principles of cond.ct
that had 6een ta.5ht all alon5. This is a fa3iliar political dod5e. It is the 3eans 6y #hich
:itler and $.ssolini 5ot into po#er. In o.r o#n co.ntryC a cynical 3e36er of the Rep.6lican
Party once called attention to the fact that the President +ranklin D. Roose/eltC had
disco/ered fo.rteen dire national e3er5encies in t#o yearsG each one of #hich had 6y a
c.rio.s coincidence called for in/estin5 $r. Roose/elt #ith ne# po#ers. As $r. Roose/elt
had 6een already 5ettin5 all the po#ers he asked for for so3e yearsC it #as not felt that
contin.ed e3er5encies on this scale #ere 3.ch of a co3pli3ent to his achie/e3entsG 6.t
fe# noticed that. In -e3er5enciesC- one doesn)t thinkG one lea/es it to the proper a.thorities.F
A third #arnin5 lay in the appeal to pride - she #as the stron5est 3e36er of the
SocietyC alone a6le to carry o.t this disa5reea6le and painf.l taskC as a sacrifice to the ca.se.
The proceedin5 e3anated the stench of the Black 1od5e to hi5h hea/en. That she acted in
perfectly 5ood faith is e/identC at least to .sG her 5.ilt in the first place #as #hat e/idently
see3ed to her a har3less and technical infraction of her Pled5e. People #ere and are 5.ilty
of s.ch infractions all o/er the placeC in their shallo# #ay <.ite o6li/io.s of the fact that the
contin.ed eBistence of their personal so.ls 3ay 6e at stake. She happened to 6e in a
position #here it co.ld 6e 3ade real .se of. She had asked for itG people #ho set o.t to 6e
of 5reat .se to the $o/e3ent a.to3atically inc.r the risk of 6ein5 of 5reat da3a5e to it. 7nly
incessant self-#atchf.lness and adherence to principles #ill lay a safe path for the3C 6eca.se
the forceC in5en.ityC deter3inationC and s.6tlety of the opposin5 po#ers is so3ethin5 <.ite
incredi6le to the 3ass of Theosophists.
So3ethin5 else happened to 7lcott. A trick #as played on hi3 at =.d5e)s eBpense. It
#as done for the p.rpose of 3akin5 hi3 think that =.d5e #as o.t to seiAe control of the
Society for personal reasonsC and #as #holly .nscr.p.lo.s as to the 3eans e3ployed. It
#as of s.ch nat.re that 7lcott co.ld only ha/e concl.ded that =.d5e #as hi3self a
#holehearted a5ent of the Black 1od5eC .nder #hose control nothin5 6.t destr.ction co.ld 6e
eBpected for the Society. It #as presented to hi3 in the 3ost pla.si6le possi6le 5.iseC and it
fell in a 3ental field already #ell conditioned 6y personal ani3osities of /ario.s kinds.
Thinkin5 o/er 3atters of the re3ote past and the present pastC the present #riter cannot
disco/er in his 3ind any partic.lar fi5.re in the $o/e3ent that he #o.ld depend on to ha/e
detected that trick - incl.din5 hi3self. It is tr.e that 7lcott did ha/e his o#n #arnin5s.
The thin5 #as #holly o.t of character for =.d5e on his life-lon5 record. If 7lcott had
reco5niAed thisC and co33.nicated i33ediately and directly #ith =.d5eC the trick #o.ld ha/e
6een disco/ered. B.t they #ere far apartC and 7lcott #as already har6orin5 ill feelin5 and
s.spicion. In this lay the second #arnin5G he sho.ld ha/e kno#n that #ith s.ch personal
feelin5s in his heartC his perceptions #o.ld not 6e clear.
The third #arnin5 lay in the 3eans he fo.nd hi3self forced to .se in -p.r5in5- the
Society of =.d5eG recorded in o.r n.36ered se<.ence. A little detached tho.5htC p.r5ed in
t.rn of personal feelin5sC #o.ld ha/e sho#ed hi3 that he had 6een tricked into adoptin5 the
-end =.stifies the 3eans- principleC in #hich a5ain appeared the odor of the dark 6rethren.
So far as #e can findC no person e/er na3ed in the affairs of the $o/e3ent #as conscio.sly
instr.3ental in this tr.ly hellish piece of chicanery. It appears to ha/e 6een .ns.spected 6y
the a.thors of the +istory of the 'oementC #ho tended to lay 7lcott)s fe/er entirely on the
3ore tan5i6le infl.ences actin5 on the hei5htened sensiti/ities and accent.ated personal
kar3a nor3al to all chela candidates. If =.d5e e/er kne# of it - and in so3e of his pri/ate
correspondence appears a tra5icC al3ost pitif.l 6e#ilder3ent at the force and .nreason of the
attack directed at hi3 - he #o.ld ha/e had to kno# it 6y a hi5h de5ree of clair/oyance of his
o#nC or a direct #arnin5 fro3 the $asters. In this correspondenceC it is e/ident that =.d5eC
tho.5h at ti3es the /erita6le /ehicle of his o#n $asterC #as as a personality .nder5oin5 the
3ost se/ere possi6le trials and s.fferin5sC in the process of eBpiatin5 past kar3aC and
ac<.irin5 initiation - synony3o.s ter3s. It is o.r opinion that he ne/er did kno# - in his
nor3al personality.
The -e/idence- #asC of s.ch nat.re that 7lcott co.ld not .se it p.6licly. There is no
sit.ation 3ore 3addenin5 than to 6e the /icti3 of an ineBc.sa6le in;.sticeC and to ha/e one)s
hands tied in the 3atter of defense. It is not too s.rprisin5 that 7lcottC #hen his t.rn ca3eC
sa# nothin5 #ron5 in placin5 the s.pposed 3alefactor in the sa3e position.
7ne of 7lcott)s char5es a5ainst =.d5e dealt #ith a s.pposed lie that =.d5e had told
hi3 a6o.t a certain talis3anic 3edal. We ha/e =.d5e)s storyC and #e ha/e 7lcott)sC
concernin5 that. There is a flat contradiction as to #hat #as said. B.t there #ere three
people present at that episodeG and the third 6acked .p =.d5e. =.d5e had his affida/it to
present at the defense he #as not allo#ed to 3ake. :ere a5ain #e ha/e the 6lack 3ark. It is
standard practice on the part of the 5entle3en of the 1eft :and Path to circ.late e/ery
concei/a6le cal.3ny in the <.arters #here it #ill do the 3ost 5ood - 6.t caref.lly to a/oid any
sort of open hearin5 or ad;.dication #herein the tr.th 3ay co3e to li5ht. We do not acc.se
7lcott of an intentional lie. We think he #as constit.tionally incapa6le of it. We think his
3e3ory - or perhaps the psychic plane of his hearin5 - #as intentionally -6alled .p- as the
sayin5 5oes. B.t that co.ld not ha/e 6een done eitherC if his 3ind had 6een clear of pre;.dice
and passionC and .ntainted 6y propensities and practices of the -1o#er Iddhi.-
We eBonerate the Besant-7lcott ca6al of #hat they ha/e so3eti3es 6een acc.sed of -
deli6erate and dishonest conspiracyC lyin5C plottin5C and conscio.s in;.stice for personal
reasons and 3oti/es. They sincerely tho.5ht they #ere #orkin5 for the sal/ation of the
$o/e3ent and of h.3anity. :a/in5 con/ictions of concern for the p.6lic 5oodC 6ased on
cases they co.ld not present or co.ld not present ade<.atelyC they tried to -5et the ri5ht 3an
#ith the #ron5 e/idence.- That they had to .se the #ron5 e/idence at allC sho.ld ha/e sho#n
the3 that it #as the #ron5 3an they #ere after. In not seein5 this - and in the apparently
inconse<.ent peccadilloes that 6l.nted their /ision pre/io.sly - lay their fail.re and their fa.lt.
7nly s.ch as 3ay ha/e 3et #ith si3ilar deceptions and #ithstood the3 s.ccessf.llyC 3ay 6e
entitled to call the3 3iscreants rather than /icti3sG and #e do.6t that they #o.ld. B.t a
/icti3 of occ.lt deception #ho 6eco3es an -a.thority- and a de3i-5od is a serio.s 3atter that
cannot 6e easily dis3issed on 5ro.nds of p.rely personal charity.
-----------
Th.s #as the 5ro.nd cleared for the 9reat S.6stit.tion. This #e #ill deal #ith in neBt
iss.e.
-----------
IV. Te /'e#% $n te <u#'($#n 6#ll.
Th.s #e ha/e seen persons of hi5h characterC as the #orld reckons itC en5a5e in the
tactics of political #ard heelersG persons /o#ed to ;.stice and 3ercyC perfor3in5 the deeds of
Tor<.e3ada or :itlerG persons of hi5h intelli5ence actin5 like conf.sed children. @othin5 - at
least nothin5 re5istered in history - has e<.aled the a3aAin5 record of the -=.d5e !ase.- As
#e ha/e saidC there is 3ystery here. The 3ystery is in no #ay di3inished as one discerns
.nder the conf.sion the definite trend to#ard consistent ends #hich has ca.sed .s to say that
a plan lay 6ehind it all. The thin5 #ell deser/es to rank #ith the 5reat historical persec.tion
casesC s.ch as that of Dreyf.s. The contrast 6et#een these people as they 3i5ht ha/e 6een
eBpected to actC and did act in other connectionsC and the 3anner in #hich they acted in the
=.d5e caseC is a6o.t the sa3e as that 6et#een any ordinary citiAen #hen so6erC and #hen
dr.nkC doped - or hypnotiAed. What planC and 6y #ho3? @ot 6y the /isi6le fi5.res. The
3ental chaos eBhi6ited 6y the3 sho#s little of the aspect of a plan on their part.
When a 3.rder is co33itted .nder 3ysterio.s circ.3stancesC the first thin5 to look for
is 3oti/e. That 3oti/e 3ay lie in the li/es of either the 3.rderer or the /icti3C or 3ost likely
6oth. 1et .s ask o.rsel/es #hat =.d5e #o.ld ha/e done had he not 6een p.t o.t of actionC
and deter3ine #hat interest #o.ld ha/e 6een da3a5ed 6y that doin5. 1et .s analyAe in that
li5ht #hat the attackers #ere doin5 #hen they ca3e into conflict #ith =.d5eC and #hat co.rse
they follo#ed #hen his presence #as re3o/ed. 1et .s eBa3ine #hose interest that co.rse
ser/ed. We shall then 6e close on the track.
The i3plication of the a6o/e is that the /isi6le attackers of =.d5e #ere 6ein5 .sed 6y
so3ethin5 or so3e6ody. What likelihood eBists in their history of 6ein5 .sed for p.rposes
6eyond their ken? These principal fi5.res #ere :.S. 7lcottC Annie BesantC A.P. SinnettC and
!o.ntess Wacht3eister. !.W. 1ead6eater ali5ned hi3self #ith the3C and so did 3any
another. B.t at that ti3eC 1ead6eater #as not an i3portant factorC and the others #ere led 6y
the eBa3ple of these ill.strio.s. The fact that these fo.r #ere as di/erse in te3pera3ent and
personal 6ack5ro.nd as any fo.r h.3ans that co.ld 6e fo.ndC presents .s #ith an a/en.e of
in/esti5ation. 8hat ,as the common bond9 7ne is easily fo.ndG it rests .pon traits sternly
and repeatedly #arned a5ainst 6y :.P.B. and the $ahat3as. It is a penchant for psychis3C
for pheno3enalis3. 7lcott first 3et :.P.B. at a spirit.alistic seance. :e #as on a ne#spaper
assi5n3ent to in/esti5ate these 3attersC had 6eco3e enor3o.sly intri5.ed 6y the3C and
re3ained so to the day of his death. :is attit.de to#ard psychic pheno3ena #as the
c.riosity of a fi/e-year-old to#ard the #orkin5s of a toy red fire en5ineG tho.5h he #as ne/er
a6le to take the3 apart to his satisfaction to the sa3e eBtent. :e #as notorio.sly .na6le to
take a cal3 /ie# of the a6nor3alC the -s.pernat.ralC- and to fit its sporadic e/ents into a
coherent philosophical fra3e#ork. It #as the sho# and the 3ystery of the e/ent in itself that
intri5.ed hi3G as has often 6een saidC each s.ch e/ent #as a thin5 in itself to hi3C not an
inte5ral part of a scientific pict.re. This o/er#eenin5 interest in pheno3ena as s.ch #as the
keynote of his #hole Theosophical life.
Annie Besant had a si3ilarC if 3ore intellect.al and rationalC interest. This interest #as
hei5htened 6y her o#n ori5inal co3plete lack of any sort of psychic -sensiti/ity.- As :.P.B.
saidI -She is all intellect - not psychic or spirit.al in the least.- She p.rs.ed the prospect of
de/elopin5 for herself s.ch po#ersC #ith /ast ea5erness and a36ition.
If 7lcott and Besant #ere s3itten 6y psychis3C Sinnett #as o6sessed. @othin5 is
3ore ill.strati/e of his character than the readin5 of The 'ahatma Letters. It is there clear
that the $ahat3as spent endless ti3e and pains tryin5 to ill.3inate hi3 philosophicallyC and
especially to #arn a5ainst and c.r6 his psychic tendencies.
!o.ntess Wacht3eister #as herself a -terri6le clair/oyantC- as :.P.B. p.t it. She #as
a6le to see the astral for3s of chelas and the $ahat3as the3sel/es - 6.t as an .ntrainedC
hence erraticC seer.
So far as #e ha/e 6een a6le to ascertainC all the other 3e36ers of the ca6al a5ainst
=.d5e #ere si3ilarly afflicted. It is here that #e find the first front of the conflict 6et#een
=.d5e and the othersG for =.d5e sternly rep.diated all these tendencies and practices.
:.P.B.C the -1ion of the P.n;a6C- had set her lair 6y the #ater hole - or 3.dhole - of the
spirit.alistic 3o/e3ent. There her po#erf.l and 6ene/olent pa# si3.ltaneo.sly pinned do#n
=.d5e and 7lcott. The for3er <.ickly follo#ed her lead o.t of the psychic ;.n5le to the
s.ns#ept and open /eldt of the spirit. 7lcott ne/er left the 3orass. :e added -
.ns.ccessf.lly - the field of Theosophical tho.5ht to that of the spirit.alistic and pheno3enal
#orld. The air of the seance-roo3 is conta5io.sly poisono.s. 7lcottC steeped for years in it
e/en 6efore ha/in5 the 6enefit of eBplanatory philosophyC co.ld hardly ha/e escaped so3e
taint of 3edi.3is3 hi3self.
Annie BesantC chronically h.n5ry for -po#ersC- for the a6ility to see all these #ondro.s
thin5s for herselfC 6roke her /o#s and allo#ed herself to 6e -3a5netiAed- 6y the Brah3inC
!hakra/arti. Thereafter she -sa# thin5s- #ith a /en5eance. EThe R.les of the 4soteric
Section decreed that ifC in any pro6ationerC there eBisted the seeds of pheno3enal po#erC
they #o.ld not 6e allo#ed to de/elop d.rin5 pro6ationC once one #ere pled5ed. Annie
BesantC heedless of the #arnin5 i3plicit in that r.leC so.5ht a short c.t. It took her for#ard
rapidlyC 6.t to #hat 5oal?F
Acco.nts of Annie Besant)s -po#ers- are conf.sin5. She is said to ha/e 6een a6le to
-see and hear the $asterC- so3eti3e pre/io.sly to her ad/ent.re #ith !hakra/arti. 8et at the
6e5innin5 of that affairC she see3s to ha/e 6een dependent on =.d5e for co33.nicationsG
tho.5h not anBio.s to ad3it it. In LuciferC $arch 1%C 100"C appears the clai3 that =.d5e
#rote and ca6led her a re<.est to take the sole headship of the 4.S. 6eca.se she had -dra#n
so 3.ch nearer the $aster and 6oth sa# and heard fro3 hi3.- This is one of the <.eerest
episodes in the $o/e3entC 6eca.se at that 3o3ent the fi5ht 6et#een her and =.d5e #as onC
and she #as in the 3idst of layin5 char5es a5ainst hi3. There is no copy of s.ch a letter or
ca6le in the Pasadena archi/esG the #riters of the $o/e3ent had no copiesG $r.
=inara;adasaC President of $rs. Besant)s societyC #hen re<.ested for copies of the letter and
ca6le 6y one of o.r correspondents so3e ti3e a5oC #as -too 6.sy 5ettin5 ready to tra/el- to
look .p the 3atter. EAnd #hile #e are ar5.in5 a6o.t itC #e 3ay as #ell insert a challen5e
here for so3eone to prod.ce this 3aterial.F As has 6een seenC $rs. Besant)s acco.nts of
thin5s t.rn o.t to ha/e hardly 6een relia6leG 6.t #e find it hard to i3a5ine her as deli6erately
fa6ricatin5 a story of this sort o.t of thin air. We think that here #e are on the trail of so3e
3ore trickery - or =.d5e 3i5ht ha/e en5a5ed in so3e irony that she took for real. Also
a5ainst the clai3 that she had independent co33.nication #ith $asters 6efore !hakra/artiC
is the fact that the /ery 3essa5es #hich =.d5e #as acc.sed of deli/erin5 falsely as fro3
$astersC #ere to her. EIn the final o.tco3eC she did not deny their a.thenticityG only clai3ed
the method to 6e dishonestG #hich of co.rse #as e<.i/alent to acc.sin5 the $asters
the3sel/es of conni/in5 at dishonest 3ethods. If she had independent contactC she #o.ld
not ha/e 6een 5ettin5 instr.ctions thro.5h =.d5e.F
The possi6ilities of post-hypnotic s.55estion are al3ost .nli3ited. Hnder hypnosis the
/icti3 3ay 6e -keyed- or -tri55ered- to see or hear #hate/er the operator decrees that he
shall hear or see .pon a 5i/en f.t.re occasion. There are t#o other deadly aspects to
hypnotis3I the first hypnosis is like the loss of /ir5inityG the /icti3 is -easier- each ti3e
follo#in5. AndC as in/esti5ators e/en o.tside of Theosophy ha/e fo.ndC once the rapport is
esta6lishedC the /icti3 is s.scepti6le to telepathic infl.ence in the physical a6sence of the
operator. E+or that 3atterC there are 3any people open to telepathic i3p.lsion or co3p.lsion
re5ardless of ha/in5 e/er physically 3et or kno#n the operatorG one of the for3s of #hat #e
call -3edi.3is3.-F
+ro3 6ein5 -3a5netiAed- 6y !hakra/arti into seein5 a -$aster- #ho flatterin5ly told her
that it #as her d.ty to .se her stren5th to p.r5e =.d5e fro3 the SocietyC to -seein5- the sa3e
/isions as !.W. 1ead6eater in later yearsC #as an easy eno.5h step.
A lar5e n.36er of the early 3edi.3s of the spirit.alistic 3o/e3ent #ere 3ade so 6y
hypnosis. In factC the disco/ery that this co.ld 6e doneC #as hailed as a 5reat step in the
-pro5ress- of spirit.alis3. That s.ch psychic rape #o.ld res.lt in the /icti3 6eco3in5 hea/ily
i3pre5nated #ith the tendencies of the operatorC #as .nkno#n to spirit.alistsG it sho.ld ha/e
6een re3e36ered 6y Annie BesantC 6.t #as not.
SinnettC at least .p to that ti3eC had ne/er de/eloped open 3edi.3istic tendencies.
B.t he ,asC as The 'ahatma Letters sho#C serio.sly s.6;ect to 3ental press.res #hose
nat.re #as .nkno#n to hi3. The LettersC as saidC are is 5reat part the record of a s.stained
effort to open his eyes in these 3atters and to o/erco3e his hard-shelled 3aterialisticC racialC
and social pre;.dices. In the .pshot this correspondence 6roke offC and later #as replaced 6y
a ne# set of -co33.nications- thro.5h another so.rce - 1ead6eater. These #ere 3.ch
3ore satisfactory fro3 his point of /ie#. They s.stained his pre;.dices and propped his
/anityG ena6led hi3 to 6e in 5ood standin5 #ith the -$asters- and contin.e to 6e his old
fa3iliar and satisfied self. 7ne of the3 stated that the ne# 3eans of co33.nication #as so
3.ch 6etter than the old that so3e of the for3er letters had 6een a -3ere tra/esty- of the real
3eanin5 of the teachin5s. S.ch #as the sit.ation at the ti3e of the =.d5e caseG one of the
old co33.nications #as at that 3o3ent a so.rce of 5reat 6itterness on his partG he
considered it false and =.d5e .pheld it.
Since the #hole episode pa/ed the #ay for 1ead6eater and his neo-theosophyC #hich
co.ld not possi6ly ha/e pre/ailed had =.d5e)s 6attle for the ori5inal teachin5s s.cceeded and
had he s.r/i/ed as a po#er in the SocietyC the case of this partic.lar -psychic- #ho entered
the 6attle a5ainst =.d5e 3id#ayC is of partic.lar interest and i3portance.
1ead6eater #as ori5inally a c.rate in a co.ntry parish of the !h.rch of 4n5landC #ho
had 6eco3e interested in spirit.alis3 3any years pre/io.sly to readin5 A.P. Sinnett)s early
6ooksC 5soteric BuddhismC and the .ccult 8orld. :e #as inspired 6y these 6ooks to hold
seances #ith the 3edi.3C W. 45linton. E$entioned in The 'ahatma Letters.F 45linton had
6een helped 6y $ada3e Bla/atsky to#ard Theosophical .nderstandin5C had 6een con/inced
of the eBistence of the $astersC and ;oined the 1ondon 1od5e in 1,,". EThis 1od5e fro3 its
6e5innin5 #as o6sessed #ith pheno3enalis3.F 4arly in 1,,"C 1ead6eater tried to 5et in
to.ch #ith the $asters /ia 45linton)s -controlC- -4rnest.- $onths laterC the $ahat3a ->.:.-
#rote hi3 a real letter in #hich this incident #as referred to. It is letter *II in the s3all /ol.3eC
Letters 1rom the 'asters of the 8isdomC iss.ed 6y the Adyar Society. Since it contains
3.chC 3.ch 3oreC #e reprod.ce it in f.llI
1ast sprin5 - $arch the rd - yo. #rote a letter to 3e and entr.sted it to -4rnest.-
Tho.5h the paper itself ne/er reached 3e - nor #as it e/er likely toC considerin5 the nat.re of
the 3essen5er - its contents ha/e. I did not ans#er it at the ti3eC 6.t sent yo. a #arnin5
thro.5h Hpasika. E:.P. Bla/atsky.F
In that 3essa5e of yo.rs it #as said that since readin5 5sot" Bud. and )sis yo.r -one
5reat #ish had 6een to place yo.rself under me as a chela( that you might learn more of the
truth.- -I .nderstand fro3 $r. S.C- yo. #ent onC -That it #o.ld 6e al3ost i3possi6le to
6eco3e a chela #itho.t 5oin5 o.t to India.- 8o. hoped to 6e a6le to do that in a fe# yearsC
tho.5h for the present ties of 5ratit.de 6ind yo. to re3ain in this co.ntryC etc.
I no# ans#er the a6o/e and yo.r other <.estions.
E1F It is not necessary that one sho.ld 6e in India d.rin5 the se/en years of
pro6ation. A chela can pass the3 any#here.
E2F To accept any 3an as a chela does not depend on 3y personal #ill. It can only
6e the res.lt of one)s personal 3erit and eBertions in that direction. 1orce any one of the
-$asters- yo. 3ay happen to chooseG do 5ood #orks in his na3e and for the lo/e of
3ankindI 6e p.re and resol.te in the path of ri5hteo.sness Eas laid o.t in our r.lesFG 6e
honest and .nselfishG for5et yo.r self 6.t to re3e36er the 5ood of other people - and yo. #ill
ha/e forced that -$aster- to accept yo..
So 3.ch for candidates d.rin5 the periods of the .ndist.r6ed pro5ress of yo.r Society.
There is so3ethin5 3ore to 6e doneC ho#e/erC #hen TheosophyC the !a.se of Tr.th isC as at
the present 3o3entC on its stand for life or death 6efore the tri6.nal of P.6lic opinion - that
3ost flippantly cr.elC pre;.diced and .n;.st of all tri6.nals. There is also the collecti/e kar3a
of the caste you belong to to 6e considered. It is .ndenia6le that the ca.se yo. ha/e at heart
is no# s.fferin5 o#in5 to the dark intri5.esC the 6ase conspiracy of the !hristian cler5y and
3issionaries a5ainst the Society. They #ill stop 6efore nothin5 to r.in the rep.tation of the
+o.nders. Are yo. #illin5 to atone for their sins? Then 5o to Adyar for a fe# 3onths. -The
ties of 5ratit.de- #ill not 6e se/eredC nor e/en 6eco3e #eakened for an a6sence of a fe#
3onths if the step 6e eBplained pla.si6ly to yo.r relati/e. :e #ho #o.ld shorten the years of
pro6ation has to 3ake sacrifices for Theosophy. P.shed 6y 3ale/olent hands to the /ery
ed5e of a precipiceC the Society needs e/ery 3an and #o3an stron5 in the ca.se of tr.th. It
is 6y doing no6le actionsC and not 6y deter3inin5 that they shall 6e doneC that the fr.its of
3eritorio.s actions are reaped. 1ike the -tr.e 3an- of !arlyleC #ho is not to 6e sed.ced 6y
easeC -diffic.ltyC a6ne5ationC 3artyrdo3C death are the allurements that act- d.rin5 the ho.rs
of trial on the heart of a tr.e chela.
8o. ask 3eC -What r.les I 3.st o6ser/e d.rin5 this ti3e of pro6ation and ho# soon I
3i5ht /ent.re to hope that it co.ld 6e5in.- I ans#erI 8o. ha/e the 3akin5 of yo.r o#n f.t.re
in yo.r o#n handsC as sho#n a6o/eC and e/ery day yo. 3ay 6e #ea/in5 its #oof. If I #ere to
demand that yo. sho.ld do one thin5 or the otherC instead of si3ply ad/isin5C I #o.ld 6e
responsi6le for e/ery effect that 3i5ht flo# fro3 the stepC and yo. ac<.ire 6.t a secondary
3erit. ThinkC and yo. #ill see that this is tr.e. So cast the lot yo.rself into the lap of =.sticeC
ne/er fearin5 6.t that its response #ill 6e a6sol.tely tr.e. !helaship is an ed.cational as #ell
as a pro6ationary sta5eC and the chela alone can deter3ine #hether it shall end in adeptship
or fail.re. !helasC fro3 a 3istaken idea of o.r syste3C too often #atch and #ait for ordersC
#astin5 precio.s ti3e #hich sho.ld 6e taken .p #ith personal effort. 7.r ca.se needs
3issionariesC de/oteesC a5entsC e/en 3artyrsC perhaps. B.t it cannot de3and of any 3an to
3ake hi3self either. So no# choose and 5rasp yo.r o#n destiny - and 3ay the 1ord)s the
Tatha5ata)s 3e3ory aid yo. to decide for the 6est. O
---------------
O The Tatha5ata is 9a.ta3a B.ddha.
--------------
Pro6a6ly ne/er #as so 3.ch said to so 3any in so fe# #ords. It is the co3pact
3.ltiplicity of 3eanin5sC the far-reachin5 foresi5htC sho#n in s.ch a letter as thisC that
distin5.ishes the real -co33.nication- fro3 the fake.
:ere #e ha/e the follo#in5I
1. A do.6le #arnin5 to 1ead6eater not to p.rs.e seancesC 3edi.3is3C -5.ides- as
paths to the $asters.
2. The a6sol.te necessary reliance of a 3an on his o,n po,ers to 6eco3e chelaG the
i3possi6ility of any other po#er on earth or in hea/en to help or hinder hi3C other than 6y
placin5 tr.th 6efore hi3.
. The necessity of p.rity.
". 1ead6eater)s 6ad kar3a connectin5 hi3 #ith the !h.rchG the need of eBpiatin5 itC if
necessary thro.5h the 5reatest of personal s.fferin5. The stat.s of the !h.rch as an ene3y.
All thisC of co.rseC constit.ted a #arnin5 to the #hole $o/e3ent as #ell as to
1ead6eaterG it pointed o.t the proper path for hi3 and all the rest to follo#C and 3apped the
traps on the road. In the later career of 1ead6eater and the #hole of the neo-theosophical
c.ltC eery single one of these points( of these ,arnings( ,as set completely at naught( and is
today. We i3a5ine that this letterC of .ndisp.ted a.thenticityC has 6een readC pro6a6ly o/er
and o/erC 6y al3ost e/ery 3e36er of the Adyar society and 6y inn.3era6le others. B.t at
this ho.rC tho.sands of these sa3e Adyar 3e36ers are as 6lind to all its i3plications and
#arnin5s as tho.5h they had ne/er 6een #ritten. $oreI the letter has e/en 6een .sed to
s.pport the corr.pt co.rseC 6eca.se of its proof that 1ead6eater really #as at that ti3e in
to.ch #ith the $asters. -7nce a chelaC al#ays a chelaC- it see3sC e/en tho.5h as far 6ack as
the ti3es of the $ita it #as kno#n that only an infinitesi3al n.36er of those accepted on
pro6ation e/er s.cceed in 5ainin5 f.ll chelaship. The o/er#hel3in5ly fre<.ent fate is a s#ift
fail.re.
1ead6eater #ent to IndiaC and #as sent on a 3ission to !eylon 6y 7lcott. While thereC
6e5an the first 3anifestation of a 3oral #eakness that #as to 6e the c.rse of the Society in
repeated cycles in the f.t.re. Pro6ationary chelas are not accepted on the 6asis of their
6ein5 o/er#hel3in5ly /irt.o.s characters. They are accepted 6eca.se of past kar3ic
connections #ith the #orkC and 6eca.se of present deter3ination to 6e 6etter and 3ore
.sef.l 3enC re5ardless of personalC 3ental and 3oral handicaps. B.t the first and i33ediate
effect of acceptance is a #holesale 6oilin5 .p of e/ery hidden propensity for 5ood or e/ilG of
latent tendencies #hich 3ay ha/e 6een dor3ant for 3any incarnations. In the early daysC as
a 3atter of de3onstration - and to precipitate so3e kar3a - certain persons #ho #ere /ery
hi5hly tho.5ht of 6y the 3e36ershipC #ere per3itted to try pro6ation. @one s.cceeded
entirelyG so3e 3ade so3e pro5ressC 6.t the chief /isi6le res.lt #as a 3inor epide3ic of
cri3eC insanityC and s.icide.
!helaship is the ori5inal and f.nda3ental for3 of psychoanalysis. Hnder itC not only
do all the hidden tendencies to#ard e/il co3e /iolently to li5htC 6.t the /icti3 is forced to see
himself as he is. This is not an end.ra6le /ision eBcept to the one in 3any tho.sands #ho is
a6le to o/erco3e all pride and self-estee3. @o otherC in the present #icked state of 3ankindC
can see hi3self as he is and li/e #ith hi3self. The ordeal is all the 3ore /iolent in that
precisely the 3an #ho has tho.5ht 3ost #ell of hi3selfC is the 3an #hose hidden fo.lness is
.s.ally #orst. In addition to self-re/elations hard to end.reC there 3ay 6e a /iolent
precipitation of physicalC financialC or fa3ily kar3a. E7f co.rseC 3any and 3any a 3an or
#o3an has taken the Pled5e of pro6ation in one or another esoteric sectionC and has
eBperienced no s.ch terri6le trialsC to any s.ch caseC he has done nothin5 3ore than si5nC as
:.P.B. p.t itC -at the tip of his pen.- @either his characterC his kar3aG or his deter3inationC
ha/e 6een serio.s eno.5h in the thin5 to 6rin5 hi3 to the cr.cial sta5e. :e has 3erely 6een
playin5 5a3es #ith hi3self. So3e others #ho ha/e not e/en taken s.ch a pled5eC ha/e
ne/ertheless 5one far eno.5h to eBperience so3e of the effects. We are a#are that so3e
#ill reproach .s #ith disco.ra5in5 people fro3 atte3ptin5 chelaship. S.ch is o.r intention.
The /ery occasional 3an #ho has it in hi3C #ill not 6e disco.ra5ed 6y anythin5 #e or anyone
else can sayG those #e can disco.ra5e are those #ho are not readyG #ho 3i5ht li/e o.t li/es
of 5reat .sef.lness as ;.st si3ple TheosophistsC 6.t 3i5ht 3eet .tter disaster #ithin the
))circle of pro6ation.-F
The 3odes of fail.re of those #ho try and do not s.cceedC are /ery /aried. The
o/er#hel3in5 s.6conscio.s i3p.lse is for consolation and co3pensation for the fail.re.
So3e yield co3pletely to pride and /anity and seek te3poral po#er o/er the li/es of others at
any cost. 7thers fall 6efore so3e latent /ice and 5o do#n to 3oral and physical depri/ation.
So3e co33it s.icideC or 5o insaneC or to prison. So3eC reco5niAin5 honestly that they hae
failedC creep <.ietly a#ay in sha3e and 3iseryC or set a6o.t patiently to redee3 the3sel/es.
S.ch as these ha/e not really failed. They ha/e 6een stoppedC 6.t they ha/e not 5one
6ack#ards.
7f all the h.3an <.alities that are 3ost dan5ero.sC stand 3ost in the #ayC that of pride
is 5reatest. It ref.ses to let a 3an ad3it his o#n fail.reC ca.ses hi3 to 5lorify and ;.stify the
/ery /ices that ca.sed hi3 to failC and to lead others on his o#n terri6le path to destr.ction.
S.ch a fail.re is attended 6y a tre3endo.s 6.rst of e5otis3 and self-confidence that
i3presses the 3assesC and often takes the /icti3 strai5ht to te3poral -leadership- and the
ad.lation of the cro#dG the path opposite to that of the White AdeptC #ho /anishes fro3
h.3an co5niAance and loses interest in p.6lic reco5nition in proportion as he achie/es on
hi5her planes.
If anythin5 is clear fro3 the teachin5sC it is the fact that pride and /anity - the -last
citadel- of the personal self - are the 3ost dan5ero.s of all /ices that 6eset the footsteps of
the #o.ld-6e chela. It is ine/ita6leG pride and /anity are rooted in Aham!araC or e5ois3C
#hich is the psychic ce3ent holdin5 the se/en principles to5etherC and 3aintainin5 a 3an in
6ein5 as an entity in the physical and psychic #orlds. In chelashipC these ha/e to 5o. They
so3eti3es /anish 6efore an iron #ill that deli6erately con<.ers and star/es the3 o.tG 6.t in
the ordinary co.rse of chelaship they are slo#ly 6eaten to death 6y a series of 6lo#sC kar3icC
6.t precipitated also 6y action of the -5.r.- - kno#n or .nkno#n. Sooner or later e/ery chela
co3es to that place #here all the cards are on the ta6le face .pG he can no lon5er hide fro3
hi3self his sinsC fail.resC and follies. :e 3.st 3eet the3 and their conse<.ences head-onC
and p.6licly if necessaryC for restit.tion of #ron5s and the 6enefit of his ca.se. This he 3.st
do - or 6reak a#ay. It is the 5reat 6ranchin5 of the ri5ht and left hand pathsC
In =.d5e)s pri/ate lettersC and in the defense he #as ready to 3ake p.6liclyC #e find
ad3issions of periods of darkness and despairC of non-co33.nication #ith his TeachersC
s.ch as fall to the lot of all real chelas. We find hi3 ad3ittin5 a ti3e #henC as his Teachers
told hi3C he had to 5o thro.5h a -hell of his o#n 3akin5C- fro3 #hich none other co.ld sa/e
hi3. We find hi3 ad3ittin5 to spells of en/y and ;ealo.sy of those #ho see3ed at ti3es to 6e
3ore fa/ored 6y the $asters. :e kno#s of hi3self the 3eanin5 of -do.6t and despair and
/iolated conscience.- And #hat did his ene3iesC #ho ne/er thro.5ho.t the 3atter sho#ed
anythin5 6.t the 3ost lordly con/iction of their o#n ri5hteo.snessC do #ith these honest
ad3issions of a str.55lin5C fa.ltyC 6.t indo3ita6le h.3an nat.re. They considered it all
eidence against himC th.s pro/in5 the3 profo.ndly i5norant of the ine/ita6le co.rse of tr.e
chelaship. If he co.ld 3ake 3istakes and yield to o.r co33on herita5e of the lo#er nat.reC
then he 3.st 6e an e/il fello# indeed? -:e ad3its fa.lts hi3 self?- In their creed and that of
all their kindC to 6e in the ri5htC one 3.st 6e perfect in all thin5sG if i3perfection eBistsC it 3.st
6e e/er concealed and ne/erC .nder any conditionsC ad3itted. The chela parts co3pany fro3
the politician at this pointG the politician #ho 3.st ne/er ad3it a 3istake.
7lcottC in .ld &iary LeaesC accorded =.d5e the follo#in5 kind o6it.aryI
WellC the poor 3anC #ith his #icked hopes all 6affledC and his plan of .ni/ersal control
co3e to na.5htC has 5one to his acco.ntC and the la#s of >ar3a #ill settle #ith hi3.
This 6.t a short ti3e 6efore 7lcott #ent to his o#n 5ra/e #ith a 6roken heart o/er the
3oral eBpos.re of 1ead6eaterC his collea5.e a5ainst =.d5eC and so 3et <.ickly #ith a 6it of
kar3ic settle3ent hi3self. $ean#hile =.d5eC in the 3idst of the fray and the acc.sations
a5ainst hi3C had #ritten one of his s.pporters th.sI
I see the clans ha/e 6een 5atherin5. >eep it .p and see to it that partisanship is at a
lo# e66 and that only 5oodC steady loyalty and #ork are the 3ain 3oti/e. And cast no one
out of your heart. ELetters That +ae +elped 'e.F
7lcott #as certain that =.d5e #as a fors#orn a5ent of the Black 1od5e. The st.dent
3.st ;.d5e for hi3self #hich spirit represented #hich -1od5e- in tr.th.
It is one of the 3isfort.nes of =.d5e and the $o/e3ent that too 3.ch of his later
defense has 6een in the hands of friends #ho #ere also politiciansG incapa6le of 5i/in5 their
hearts to the f.ll s.pport of anyone less than an infalli6le $ahat3a. In endo#in5 hi3 #ith this
sp.rio.s infalli6ilityC they depri/ed hi3 of the insi5nia of the real chela. B.t there is 3ethod as
#ell as 3adness in itG a predecessor #ho has fa.ltsC cannot lo5ically ha/e follo#ers #ho are
the3sel/es infalli6le.
The s.6se<.ent history of the Society sho#sC if it sho#s anythin5C e5otis3C prideC and
/anityC r.n #ild to the point of insanity. What shall #e say of those #ho .nasha3edly
enco.ra5ed the procla3ations of the3sel/es as -on the threshold of di/inity- - in the 3idst of
one of the 3ost a3aAin5 fiascos kno#n to reli5io.s history? Beyond thatC the 3a;or
#eaknesses of !.W. 1ead6eater #ere 3anifested in his s#ift fall 6ack into the 3aterialis3
and per/erted a.thoritarianis3 of the !h.rchG and in his contin.ed and a55ra/ated addiction
to 3edi.3is3 and pheno3enalis3C all of #hich he had 6een #arned a5ainst. 7ne personal
/ice #as of a nat.re that #o.ld 6e far 6etter .nderstood no# than it #as then. It has no
discri3inationC no distinctionsC as far as ed.cationC social positionC or 5eneral character 5oes.
It 3ay sho# .p in any fa3ily or either seB. Where it occ.rs today in a place of pro3inenceC
say in the ch.rch 3inistryC 3odern enli5hten3ent says that here is a case for treat3ent and
c.re if possi6leG 3eanti3eC isolation fro3 any position #here others 3ay 6e conta3inated.
In the Theosophical society of the ),2)sC the Bi6lical /ie# pre/ailed. The affliction #as
an .nfor5i/ea6le sinC and its /icti3 doo3ed to hellfire. :enceC #hen one hi5h in the estee3
of the SocietyC and s.pposedly a direct disciple of the $astersC #as acc.sed of itC there #as
no other eBplanation 6.t that the acc.sers #ere e3issaries of the de/ilC E-Black 1od5e-F and
the proper re3edy #as to 3ake a 3artyred 5od of the acc.sed. @o#adays - #e hope - the
acc.sation #o.ld ha/e 6een 3ore i3partially in/esti5atedC and the proper re3edial 3eas.res
takenC as for any 3ental affliction.
+ollo#in5 the 6e5innin5 of these 3anifestationsC in !eylonC 1ead6eater #ent to
4n5land in 1,,,C takin5 #ith hi3 !. =inara;adasaC #ho later 6eca3e his life-lon5 ad/ocate
and chief .pholder of neo-theosophy. +ollo#in5 1,,0C he #as t.tor for the son of A.P. SinnettC
and ser/ed for Sinnett hi3self as the -psychic- thro.5h #ho3 his ne# set of
-co33.nications- ca3e. Sinnett 3ade hi3 Secretary of the 1ondon 1od5eC #hich thereafter
#as al3ost #holly de/oted to psychis3C 3edi.3is3C :atha 8o5aC and psychical research.
1ead6eater #as ne/er a 3e36er of the 4soteric Section of :.P.B. and ne/er had any contact
#ith her follo#in5 his ret.rn to 1ondon. This is of si5nificanceC 6eca.se it #as pointed o.t
often thatC only thro.5h :.P.B.C their >ar3ic -5.r.-C co.ld 7ccidentals approach the $asters.
In the fall of 102'C the 3oral aspect 6roke o.t /iolentlyC and d.rin5 an in/esti5ation
held 6y 7lcottC 1ead6eater confessed and resi5ned fro3 the Society. EThis has 6een credited
6y 3any #ith 6reakin5 do#n 7lcott)s health and ca.sin5 his death the follo#in5 year.F
1ead6eater #as later 6ro.5ht 6ack and reinstit.ted in the Society 6y Annie BesantG f.rther
scandals 6roke o.t in the early )teens and in 1022G each of #hich #ere da3a5in5 in the
eBtre3e to the rep.te of Theosophy. $eanti3eC the str.ct.re of neo-theosophy #as rapidly
takin5 the place of the ori5inal teachin5s of :.P.B. and the $ahat3asC to5ether #ith a rise in
1ead6eater)s presti5e of an a3aAin5 sort. 7ne of the 3ar/els of history has 6een the 3anner
in #hich this .nfort.nate)s real record - doc.3ented 6y co.rt reportsC steno5raphic records of
hearin5sC and his o#n ad3issions - has 6een ca3o.fla5ed and co/ered .p 6y his neo-
theosophical c.lt. It appears that in s.ch 3attersC #here reli5io.s and psychic fanaticis3 is
concernedC there is no li3it to the cred.lity and 3allea6ility of the h.3an 3ind.
1ead6eater)s 3oral delin<.encies are no s.6;ect that #e like to deal #ith in detail. In
the first placeC they 3ay ha/e 6een the res.lt of kar3ic tendencies act.ally too stron5 for hi3
to o/erco3e in this lifeG in the secondC they tend to reflect on the characters of innocent
people - -5.ilt 6y associationG- in the thirdC it #o.ld 6e #ell if the #orld co.ld for5et that any
pro3inent Theosophist e/er had the3. In the fo.rth placeC it lays .s open in the 3inds of
so3e to the char5e of tryin5 to discredit p.rely philosophical teachin5s 6y thro#in5 3.d at the
personal character of the a.thor thereof. B.t his teachin5s cannot 6e separated fro3 his
character. :e clai3ed to 6e a6le to see into the deepest secrets of nat.reC far 6eyond
anythin5 e/en the $asters clai3edG and if there is any positi/e teachin5 at all in the
philosophyC it is that a seer of any a6ility on these planes 3.st ha/e an i3pecca6ly p.re
nat.re. It is therefore ine/ita6le that his /isions 3.st either 6e in/entions or del.sions.
In The 'ahatma LettersC in the teachin5s of =.d5e and Bla/atskyC stand o.t the
descriptions of three 5reat ene3ies of 3ankindI reli5io.s sacerdotalis3C sens.ality -
especially in seB - and the .n5.arded 5ate to the real3 of .nkno#n e/ils - psychis3 and
3edi.3is3. If #e ass.3e that 1ead6eater #as as #eak on the reli5io.s peril as he #as on
the other t#oC the destr.cti/e effect of s.ch an indi/id.al in a hi5h place in the Society can 6e
easily i3a5ined.
Since in the 3idst of the 6attleC #ith Sinnett ali5ned a5ainst =.d5eC 1ead6eater #as
deli/erin5 to the for3er incessant -3essa5es- fro3 his o#n -3astersC- and Sinnett #as
acceptin5 the3 #ith co3plete cred.lityC it is clear that 1ead6eater #as no friend of =.d5e.
So3e day #e sho.ld like /eryC /ery 3.ch to see a file of the 1ead6eater-Sinnett -3essa5es.-
We s.spect they #o.ld 6e 3ore than ill.3inatin5.
We no# co3e in 3ore detail to #hat see3s to ha/e 6een the 5reat cr.cial point in the
affairC the chief thin5 a6o.t =.d5eC neBt to his opposition to psychis3C #hich co.ld ha/e 3ade
hi3 the pri3e o6;ect of assa.lt 6y forces deter3ined to n.llify or destroy the 3ission of
Theosophy. This is the reli5io.s <.estion.
V. Te -#$n /#st$on.
The iss.e 6et#een !hakra/arti and =.d5e act.ally arose t#el/e years 6efore the
for3er)s /isit to A3erica and his intri5.e #ith Annie Besant. The -Praya5 Psychic
Theosophical Society- of Allaha6ad in India #as for3ed shortly after :.P.B. and 7lcott arri/ed
there in 1,(0. !hakra/arti and his .ncle #ere 3e36ersG Sinnett #as acti/e in its affairs.
E-It)s a s3all #orldC- as so3e #o.ld sayG 3eanin5 the lines of kar3ic connections are /ery
/isi6le at ti3es.F Its 3e36ership consisted 3ainly of hi5h caste Brah3insC and it #as the only
1od5e of recordC so far as #e kno#C that ne/er reco5niAed the +irst 76;ect - Brotherhood. Its
stated o6;ect #as psychic researchG and it is at this point that the psychic dan5er and that of
reli5ions do53atis3 con/er5ed. These Brah3ins co3plained that #hereas lo#-caste 3en
and 6eef-eatin5 4n5lish3en had 6een fa/ored 6y 3essa5es fro3 the $ahat3asC theyC the
elect and eliteC had 6een ne5lected. In reply to this co3plaint they recei/ed a 3essa5e.
They didn)t like it. It #as deli/ered 6y :.P.B.C and. it readI
$essa5e #hich $r. Sinnett is directed 6y one of the BrothersC #ritin5 thro.5h $ada3e
BEla/atskyFC to con/ey to the nati/e 3e36ers of the Praya5 Branch of the Theosophical
Society.
The Brothers desire 3e to infor3 one and all of yo. naties that .nless a 3an is
prepared to 6eco3e a thoro.5h TheosophistC i.e.C to do #hat DEa3odarF $a/alankar did -
5i/e .p entirely casteC his old s.perstitionsC and sho# hi3self a tr.e refor3er. Eespecially in
the case of child 3arria5eFC he #ill re3ain si3ply a 3e36er of the SocietyC #ith no hope
#hate/er of e/er hearin5 fro3 .s. The SocietyC actin5 in this directly in accord #ith o.r
ordersC forces no one to become a Theosophist of the #econd #ection. It is left #ith hi3self
at his choice. It is .seless for a 3e36er to ar5.e -I a3 one of a p.re lifeC I a3 a teatotaller
and an a6stainer fro3 3eat and /iceC all 3y aspirations are for 5oodC etc.C- and he at the
sa3e ti3e 6.ildin5 6y his acts and deeds an i3passa6le 6arrier on the road 6et#een hi3self
and .s. What ha/e #eC the disciples of the Arhats of 4soteric B.ddhis3 and of San5yasC to
do #ith the Shasters and orthodoB Brah3anis3? There are 122 of tho.sands of +akirsC
SannyasisC or Sadh.s leadin5 the 3ost p.re li/es and yet 6ein5C as they areC on the path of
error ne/er ha/in5 had an opport.nity to 3eetC seeC or e/en hear of .s. Their forefathers
ha/e dri/en the follo#ers of the only tr.e philosophy .pon earth a#ay fro3 IndiaC and no# it is
not for the latter to co3e to the3C 6.t for the3 to co3e to .sC if they #ant to. Which of the3
is ready to 6eco3e a B.ddhistC a Nasti!aC as they call .s? Those #ho ha/e 6elie/ed and
follo#ed .s ha/e had their re#ard.
$r. Sinnett and Dr. :.3e are eBceptions. Their 6eliefs are no 6arrier to .sC for they
ha/e none. They 3ay ha/e 6ad infl.ences aro.nd the3C 6ad 3a5netic e3anationsC the
res.lt of drinkC societyC and pro3isc.o.s physical associations Eres.ltin5 e/en fro3 shakin5
hands #ith i3p.re 3enF 6.t all this is physical and 3aterial i3pedi3ents #hich #ith a little
effort #e co.ld co.nteractC and e/en clear a#ayC #itho.t 3.ch detri3ent to o.rsel/es. @ot so
#ith the 3a5netic and in/isi6le res.lts proceedin5 fro3 erroneo.s and sincere 6eliefs. +aith
in the 5ods or 5od and other s.perstition attracts 3illions of forei5n infl.encesC li/in5 entities
and po#erf.l A5ents aro.nd the3C #ith #hich #e #o.ld ha/e to .se 3ore than ordinary
eBercise of po#er to dri/e the3 a#ay. We do not choose to do so. We do not find it either
necessary or profita6le to lose o.r ti3e #a5in5 #ar on the .npro5ressed planetaries #ho
deli5ht in personatin5 5ods and so3eti3es #ell-kno#n characters #ho ha/e li/ed on earth.
There are Dhyan !hohans and !hohans of darkness. @ot #hat they ter3 de/ilsC 6.t
i3perfect intelli5ences #ho ha/e ne/er 6een 6orn on this or any other earth or sphere no
3ore than the Dhyan !hohans ha/eC and #ho #ill ne/er 6elon5 to the -!hildren of the
Hni/erseC- the p.re planetary intelli5ences #ho preside at e/ery $an/antaraC #hile the Dark
!hohans preside at the Pralaya. EThe Theosophical 'oementC p. '2%C The 'ahatma
LettersC p. "'1F
This 3essa5e -p.t it on the line- as to #hat is really #ron5 #ith the personal 5od
reli5ions. $ost of the reactions had 6een 3ore or less s.ppressed d.rin5 the inter/enin5
yearsC as had the letter itself. It appears that =.d5e re5arded this reli5io.s iss.e as the real
chief one 6et#een hi3self and his acc.sersC and in The /ath for $archC 1,0%C .ndertook to
sho# the $o/e3ent #hat the score #as 6y printin5 it. :e stated that this #as a 5en.ine
3essa5eC allo#in5 for 3inor errors in copyin5G and that Annie Besant had se/eral ti3es
pri/ately stated that it #as a fra.d 6y :.P.B. $rs. Besant replied that she had ne/er
considered it as 5en.ineC 6.t had ne/er attri6.ted it to :.P.B. A so3e#hat pec.liar ans#erC in
/ie# of the fact that no6ody else on this side of the /eil had had anythin5 to do #ith it. 7lcott
pro3ptly replied that the 3essa5e #as falseC and that it #as eBplaina6le 6y :.P.B. 6ein5 an
irresponsi6le and so3eti3es fra.d.lent 3edi.3. :e deno.nced the 3essa5e in 3ost
/i5oro.s ter3s. Sinnett conc.rred. :ence =.d5eC 6y printin5 itC p.lled se/eral 6.AAards off
the roost at once. :e sho#edC firstC that for yearsC .nder the ca3o.fla5e of pretended loyalty
to :.P.B. and her 3issionC 7lcottC SinnettC and Besant had dis6elie/ed in her and secretly
opposed her bona fides as an a5ent of the $astersC as #ell as .pholdin5 and defendin5 the
forces 6ehind ch.rch do53a. They had 3ade do.6le hypocrites of the3sel/esG first in
p.6licly .pholdin5 :.P.B. #ho3 they pri/ately considered irresponsi6le or a crookG secondC in
acc.sin5 =.d5e himself - as they did d.rin5 the case - of disloyalty to her.
=.d5e)s p.6lication of this letter .n3asked the face that the real attack #as a5ainst
hi3 as :.P.B.)s defender and .pholderC and thus against her and himself Cointly. To intelli5ent
st.dents the iss.e 6eca3e clear. 4ither :.P.B. and =.d5e represented the $astersC and their
opponents had allied the3sel/es #ith the ene3ies of the $astersG or the opposite #as tr.e.
This is the case as of this ho.rC and all the fo.l-s3ellin5 s3oke screens that can 6e cast o/er
the sit.ation fail to co/er .p this c.ttin5 fact. It is hi5h ti3e that a fe# of these Theosophists
start 6ein5 honest #ith themselesC and also #ith the rest of the #orld.
If the neo-theosophical cli<.e #ere honestC it #o.ld proclai3 in so 3any #ords #hat it
really sho#s as its 6asic 6eliefI that the 3ission of :.P. Bla/atsky #as fra.d.lentC or at 6est a
3essy 3iBt.re of tr.thC fra.dC and errorC #hich #as later -corrected- and -p.rified- 6y a6ler
representati/es - especially 6y 1ead6eater and Besant. B.t these neo-Theosophists ha/e
neer honestly and p.6licly faced that iss.e.O At one period they nearly 5ot a#ay #ith the
sho# .nnoticedC 6y al3ost co3pletely 6anishin5 the na3e and the #orks of :.P.B. fro3 the
Society literat.re.
This is #hy #e see in the Adyar Society of 10(%C 6arrin5 radical interi3 refor3C the
3ost potent pro6a6le ene3y of the $essen5er of that ti3e. It is a fortress capt.red 6y a 3ost
c.nnin5ly contri/ed Tro;an horseG and the 3ild e<.ine aspect of that ani3al as it no# peers
o/er the 6attle3entsC fails to conceal the f.rry #olf-ears that desi5nate the tr.e nat.re of the
6east. This is the po#er that has helpless in its 5rip tho.sands of the 3e36ers of that
SocietyC no# reachin5 the third 5eneration. :.P.B. stated that the !hristian ch.rch #as
fo.nded 6y -eB-initiates- - i"e"C failed chelas. So #ith this *atican in India.
7ri5inallyC 3inds half-a#akeC still doped 6y the hypnosis of the cent.riesC co.ld
.nderstanda6ly 6e conf.sed as to real /ers.s .nreal reli5ion. The po#er of a lie resides in its
6ein5 spliced so3e#here to the tr.thC and 3en #hose eyes #ere ne#ly open co.ld 6e
conf.sed as to the location of the splice. The Praya5 letter pointed o.t that location in
.n3istaka6le ter3s as 6ein5 the point #here the a6stract spirit.al perception 3er5ed into and
#as destroyed 6y the concreteG #here the arupa or for3less 6eca3e lost in the for3 or r.pa
planeC and th.s created 9od-i3a5es. To o.r 3indC that 3essa5e #as an eBperi3ental thr.st
of the pro6e - as .s.al at the kar3ic eBpense of poor :.P. Bla/atskyC #ho had no choice 6.t
to for#ard it and 6e acc.sed of in/entin5 it - to deter3ine ho# soon it 3i5ht 6e 6efore the
Theosophical 3ind #as ready for real enli5hten3ent. That ha/in5 6een disco/ered #hich
#as to 6e disco/eredC the pro6e #as laid a#ay <.ietly .ntil 1,0%C and a5ain thr.st into the
tender tiss.es - this ti3e at the eBpense of =.d5e. +or #e do not think that =.d5e reprinted
this letter at that cr.cial ti3e as a 3atter #holly of his o#n initiati/e. :is #as not a sche3in5
3ind in that sense. 7f hi3selfC he acted directly and accordin5 to si3ple strai5htfor#ard
principles as 3atters arose. The reprintin5 of this letter looks to .s like a link in a plan of
5rad.al ed.cational eBperi3ent and de/elop3ent lastin5 o/er the 5enerations. =.d5e at the
ti3e #as shattered in 6odyC and 3isera6le o/er #hat had 6een done to hi3G not in a 3ind to
start a ne# fi5ht o/er nonessentials. We think he printed the letter .nder directions fro3 his
$ahat3a - as e/idence in o.r hands indicates he follo#ed other instr.ctions #hich co.ld
6rin5 hi3 only s.fferin5 as a personC and as :.P.B. herself did. If this is the caseC then o.r
present atte3pt to clarify the thin5
------------
O Tho.5h !. =inara;adasa not lon5 a5o ca3e /ery close to it in reprintin5 Sinnett)s
acc.sations of fra.d a5ainst her - #itho.t re6.ttal.
------------
constit.tes another s3all link in the ed.cational chain - and still 3ore 3ay 6e heard a6o.t it
aro.nd 10(%.
T#o other atte3pts since that of =.d5e ha/e 6een 3adeI the p.6lication of The
+istory of The Theosophical 'oement in 102%C and. the iss.e of The 'ahatma Letters to
A"/" #innett in 1021 - The for3er handled the 3atter alon5 o.r present lineC 6.t not #ith as f.ll
disc.ssion as #e propose to 5i/e it. The latter sho#edC .n3istaka6ly and concl.si/elyC that
the spirit of the Praya5 letter #as not only that of the $astersC 6.t that it #as <.ite 3ild as
co3pared #ith #hat they really tho.5ht a6o.t this kind of reli5ion. Anyone can /erify that for
hi3self.
1et .s note st.dy f.rther the #eanin5 and i3plications of this Praya5 3essa5eC and try
to disco/er #hy it is so i3portant that the kind of reli5ion there conde3nedC 6e depri/ed of
respect. S.ccinctlyC it says that the personal 5od reli5ions constit.te a for3 of 3edi.3is3
that is taken ad/anta5e of 6y astral parasites preyin5 on the 3inds of the 6elie/ersC takin5 on
in their i3a5inations the for3s of 5odsC an5elsC and #hatnot. :ere /ery e/idently lies the
eBplanation of the /isions of reli5io.s ecstatics. B.t has not the infl.ence of personal
reli5ion 6een 5ood? The askin5 of this <.estion sho#s that the <.eryin5 3ind is still .nder
the 3ass s.55estion of the a5es. This kind of reli5ion has not 6een 5ood. $illions dead and
hideo.sly tort.red .nder the pretense of reli5io.s de/otion cannot 6e #iped off the historical
records. The infa3o.s caste syste3 of India 6ased on that kind of reli5ion is an .nc.red
.lcer in the 6ody politic of the #orld. The .psnootin5 and sneerin5 o/er people of other
reli5ionsC that takes place a3on5 the sects of !hristianityC IsraelC and Isla3C is 6e5innin5 in
sli5ht 3eas.re to 6e c.redC 6.t is still a 6lot. It reaches do#n clear into the little pre;.dices
and di/isions of the s3all to#nC #here one consorts only #ith those of his o#n ch.rch sect -
or did so .ntil <.ite recently. Takin5 it 6y and lar5eC and on its o6;ecti/e historical recordC the
story of sectarian reli5ion f.lly ;.stifies #hat a $ahat3a also said of it else#here - it has 6een
the ca.se of t#o-thirds of the #oes of h.3anity. @othin5 else has e/er prod.ced s.ch
#idespread di/isionsC s.ch 3.t.al conte3ptC s.ch 3assacres and tort.res and hatredsG
nothin5 else has so di/ided 3ankind and ser/ed so #ell as the ca3o.fla5e and hidin5 place
of eBploitationC hypocrisyC personal ends and ai3s of e/ery kind. 1et .s not look at the
ostensi6le ethics proclai3ed 6y ch.rch reli5ionG let .s look instead at #hat it has ca.sed
people to do. So lookin5C the terri6le tr.th of the $ahat3ic conde3nation is all too /isi6le.
That 3ore enli5htened /ie#s are no# in/adin5 the pict.reC the 3.t.al intolerances
6reakin5 do#n in 3eas.reC does not affect the irre/oca6le facts of past historyG and e/en
these refor3s are 6ein5 forced 6y the 5rad.al per/asion of Theosophical ideas. The reli5io.s
sectC left to itselfC only 5oes fro3 6ad to #orse .ntil e/en cred.lo.s h.3an nat.re re/olts
a5ainst it. $ankind at lar5e has 3aintained the 6asic /irt.esC not 6eca.se of its creeds 6.t in
spite of the3. $an has 6een a no6ler 6ein5 than his 5ods. What if all ci/iliAation had 6een
al#ays cond.cted on the kind of di/ine co33and in/ol/ed in the sack of =ericho 6y the
-:osts of the 1ordC- the holy rape of its #o3enC the sanctified sla/ery of its children and the
#holesale hea/enly 3.rder of its 3en - to take 6.t one episode? If the eBa3ple of the 7ld
Testa3ent is to 6e follo#edC there has 6een no no6ler eBponent of its principles than the late
.nla3ented Adolf :itler. The !hristian .nre5enerate 3ay screa3 all they like - they cannot
do a#ay #ith this a#f.l recordC #hich has 6een preser/ed da#n the cent.ries because they
,ere proud of it - as Isla3 has 6een pro.d of her 3assacres. They freely conde3n the
cr.eltiesC l.stsC and 6eastliness of *oodoo and the #itchcraft of pri3iti/e tri6es and ti3es. All
s.ch a3ate.r efforts ha/e 6een p.ny indeed as co3pared #ith the deeds of a !hristendo3
ar3ed #ith -reekin5 t.6e and iron shardC- and 6oastin5 of the3.
If there are no# fe# left of the ch.rch3en #ho ad3ired this sort of thin5C if 3any
ch.rches are no# tryin5 to li/e do#n the pastC and so3e ha/e 3ade pro5ress to#ard escape
fro3 the r.pa real3 of idolatryC it has 6een fro3 eBternal press.re ca.sed 6y the pro5ressi/e
e/ol.tion of the h.3an 3indC fostered 6y s.ch forces as the Theosophical $o/e3ent itself.
It is 6ack to the ancient ni5ht of the so.l that the neo-theosophical c.lt of 1ead6eater #o.ld
t.rn the Theosophical $o/e3ent 6y c.nnin5ly s.6stit.tin5 once 3ore for the di/ine
perceptions of the Hni/ersal SelfC the false i3a5es of the -3illions of forei5n infl.encesC li/in5
entities and po#erf.l A5ents ... .npro5ressed planetaries #ho deli5ht in i3personatin5
5ods ... !hohans of Darkness- - the real -$asters- of the neo-theosophical c.lt and its
6ranches and s.6sidiaries. 7n this path - the path of the Star Rishis - tread the neo-
theosophical de/oteesC follo#in5 the -ill.sions that 3an dee3s sacredC- 6ack into a ne# Dark
A5e. The 6ene/olent appearance that neo-theosophy and the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch p.t
onC cannot conceal the fact that their 6asis is eBactly the 6lind faith in do53a and -a.thority-
and personal deities that is the fa6ric of all the corr.pted reli5ions that ha/e 6een h.3anity)s
3isfort.ne. It is a 6itter irony that in an era #here enli5htened ch.rch3en the3sel/es are
t.rnin5 their faces a#ay fro3 personaliAed 5odsC there sho.ld re3ain .nder the cloak of
TheosophyC this leader of philosophical retro5ression.
It is easy to 6e decei/ed 6y cha3eleon s.rface appearances. The 6asis that lies
6ehind the personal reli5ions is also eBactly that #hich lies 6ehind spirit.al s.6ser/ience to
any sort of personal a.thority. If the -li/in5 entities and po#erf.l A5ents- are a6le to present
their deific 5od-i3a5es to the psychic perceptions of 3anC and lead hi3 into reli5io.s sla/eryC
they can also present the3sel/es in the se36lance of personal representati/es on earthC
endo#ed #ith a false holiness and infalli6ility.
The mental image is the !ey to all the spiritual and political seritudes of the human
race. These i3a5esC and the e3otions that 5o #ith the3C can 6e created and played .pon
at #illC to lead the 3ind 6y the nose in any direction a5ainst #hich it is not fortified. The
=eho/ah and =es.s i3a5es ha/e so ser/ed for 3any a cent.ryG the personifications of
nations ha/e done like#ise in politicsG in the Theosophical #orld these present3ents ha/e
6een replaced 6y personal -1o5oi- on their i3a5inary -lot.s thronesC- 6y i3a5inary -A/atarsC-
and 6y the 5lorified i3a5es of personal and h.3an leaders. It is a /ery so.nd instinctC or
traditionC that for6ids the $oha33edan to 3ake i3a5es of deityG that prohi6ited the =e#s
fro3 doin5 the sa3eC as also so3e of the !hristian ch.rches. B.t a mental i3a5e is as
po#erf.l a center of fiBationC fetishis3C and .nreason as anyG and this is the trap into #hich
neo-theosophy has led so 3.ch of the $o/e3ent. This #as the tide that Willia3 P. =.d5e
tried to ste3C in the 6attle of his closin5 days.
In o.r neBt iss.eC #e shall trace 3ore of the 3achinery of this plotC and its res.lts.
------------------
No. VI. A>te' te 6#t%(o? ,#s Sot.
+ollo#in5 the split in the SocietyC =.d5e tried to heal the 6reach so3e#hat 6y a letter
to the 4.ropeansC #hich see3s to .s i3portant eno.5h in spirit and content to reprod.ceI
BR7T:4RS A@D SIST4RSI We send yo. o.r fraternal 5reetin5C and f.llest sy3pathy in all
#orks sincerely so.5ht to 6e perfor3ed for the 5ood of h.3anity. Separated tho.5h #e are
fro3 yo. 6y /ery 5reat distance #e are none the less certain that yo. and #eC as #ell as all
other con5re5ations of people #ho ha/e BrotherhoodC are parts of that 5reat #hole
deno3inated The Theosophical $o/e3entC #hich 6e5an far 6ack in the ni5ht of Ti3e and has
since 6een 3o/in5 thro.5h 3any and /ario.s peoplesC places and en/iron3ents. That 5rand
#ork does not depend .pon for3sC cere3oniesC partic.lar persons or set or5aniAationsC - -its
.nity thro.5ho.t the #orld does not consist in the eBistence and action of any sin5le
or5aniAationC 6.t depends .pon the si3ilarity of #ork and aspiration of those in the #orld #ho
are #orkin5 for it.- :ence or5aniAations of theosophists 3.st /ary and chan5e in accordance
#ith placeC ti3eC eBi5ency and people. To hold that in and 6y a sole or5aniAation for the
#hole #orld is the only #ay to #ork #o.ld 6e 6oyish in conception and not in accord #ith
eBperience or nat.re)s la#s.
Reco5niAin5 the fore5oin5C #eC #ho #ere once the 6ody called The A3erican Section
of the T.S. resol/ed to 3ake o.r or5aniAationC or 3erely o.ter for3 for 5o/ern3ent and
ad3inistrationC entirely free and independent of all othersG 6.t retained o.r theosophical
idealsC aspirationsC ai3s and o6;ectsC contin.in5 to 6e a part of the theosophical 3o/e3ent.
This chan5e #as an ine/ita6le oneC and perhaps #ill ere lon5 6e 3ade also 6y yo. as #ell as
6y others. It has 6een and #ill 6e forcedC as it #ereC 6y nat.re itself .nder the s#ay of the
irresisti6le la# of h.3an de/elop3ent and pro5ress.
B.t #hile the chan5e #o.ld ha/e 6een 3ade 6efore 3any years 6y .s as an ine/ita6le
and lo5ical de/elop3entC #e ha/e to ad3it that it #as hastened 6y reason of #hat #e
considered to 6e strifeC 6itterness and an5er eBistin5 in other Sections of the Theosophical
#orld #hich #ere pre/entin5 .s fro3 doin5 o.r 6est #ork in the field assi5ned .s 6y >ar3a.
In order to 3ore <.ickly free o.rself fro3 these o6str.ctions #e 3ade the chan5e in thisC
instead of in so3e laterC year. It isC thenC a 3ere 3atter of 5o/ern3ent and has nothin5 to do
#ith theosophical propa5anda and ethicsC eBcept that it #ill ena6le .s to do 3ore and 6etter
#ork.
Therefore #e co3e to yo. as fello# st.dents and #orkers in the field of theosophical
effortC and holdin5 o.t the hand of fello#ship #e a5ain declare the co3plete .nity of all
theosophical #orkers in e/ery part of the #orld. This yo. s.rely cannot and #ill not re;ect
fro3 heatedC rashly concei/ed co.nselsC or fro3 personalities ind.l5ed in 6y anyoneC or fro3
any ca.se #hate/er. To re;ect the proffer #o.ld 3ean that yo. re;ect and n.llify the principle
of Hni/ersal Brotherhood .pon #hich alone all tr.e theosophical #ork is 6ased. And #e co.ld
not ind.l5e in those reflections nor p.t for#ard that reason 6.t for the kno#led5e that certain
persons of #ei5ht and pro3inence in yo.r ranks ha/e 5i/en .tterance hastily to eBpressions
of pleas.re that o.r chan5e of 5o/ern3ent a6o/e referred to has freed the3 fro3 nearly
e/ery one of the tho.sands of earnestC st.dio.s and enth.siastic #orkers in o.r A3erican
5ro.p of Theosophical Societies. This in;.dicio.s and .ntheosophical attit.de #e cannot
attri6.te to the #hole or to any 3a;ority of yo.r #orkers.
1et .s then press for#ard to5ether in the 5reat #ork of the real Theosophical
$o/e3ent #hich is aided 6y #orkin5 or5aniAationsC 6.t is a6o/e the3 all. To5ether #e can
de/ise 3ore and 6etter #ays for spreadin5 the li5ht of tr.th thro.5h all the earth. $.t.ally
assistin5 and enco.ra5in5 one another #e 3ay learn ho# to p.t Theosophy into practice so
as to 6e a6le to teach and enforce itC 6y eBa3ple 6efore others. We #ill then each and all 6e
3e36ers of that Hni/ersal 1od5e of +ree and Independent Theosophists #hich e36races
e/ery friend of the h.3an race. And to all this #e 6e5 yo.r corporate official ans#er for o.r
3ore definite and certain infor3ationC and to the end that this and yo.r fa/ora6le reply 3ay
re3ain as e/idence and 3on.3ents 6et#een .s.
+raternally yo.rsC
Willia3 P. =.d5eC President
Personal correspondence 6y =.d5eC and the acco.nts of so3e of his associatesC
indicate that he had real hopes that !ol. 7lcott #o.ld help in this 3o/e to#ard a3ity and
.nion in spirit if not in for3. There #ere 5ro.nds for thisC as sho#n 6y the -4Bec.ti/e @otice-
of !ol. 7lcott .pon learnin5 of the separation.
While it #o.ld ha/e 6een 6etter if the #ork in hand co.ld ha/e 6een contin.ed as
heretofore in a spirit of .nity and 3.t.al relianceC yet the .ndersi5ned considers that a
separation like the present one #as far 3ore pr.dent than the perpet.ation of ill-feelin5 and
dis.nity #ithin o.r ranks 6y ca.ses too #ell kno#n to need special reference. The
.ndersi5ned offers to his late A3erican collea5.es his 6est pri/ate and official #ishes for the
prosperityC .sef.lness and hono.ra6le 3ana5e3ent of their ne# Society.
- :.S. 7lcottC President-+o.nder of the Theosophical Society
B.t #hen the 4.ropean !on/ention 3et E=.ly "C 1,0"F #e find another of those
astonishin5 a6o.t-faces #hich had 6eco3e so characteristic of the 6ede/iled 3ind of 7lcott.
:e ad/ised the !on/ention of recei/in5 it 6.t ref.sed to place it 6efore it for actionI -I declare
the thin5 o.t of order and inad3issi6le.- There #as eno.5h fairness and independence left
a3on5 the 3e36ership to precipitate a sharp de6ate on thisI #hich #as ter3inated 6y $rs.
BesantI
I #o.ld ask yo. Eif the President-+o.nder #o.ld 6e 5ood eno.5h to #ai/e his perfectly
;.st and le5al r.lin5F to allo# the letter to 6e readC and then let it lie on the ta6leC passin5 it
o/er in a6sol.te silence so to speak.
This #as carried as a 3otionC resisted especially 6y the D.6lin 1od5e. 4.T. :ar5ro/e
deno.nced this resol.tion as a ne5ation of 6rotherhood and called on all #ho took his /ie# to
lea/e the hall. A third of those present follo#ed hi3 and or5aniAed a Society affiliated #ith the
A3erican Theosophists.
The effl.B of ti3e has 6l.rred a rather i3portant point connected #ith those e/ents. To
present-day =.d5ites the rank and file of #hat is no# kno#n as the -Adyar- or -Besant-
societyC tend to look like a 3ass of sheep 6lindly follo#in5 the a.thority of their leadersG to the
3odern Adyarite they see3 like instantly and spontaneo.sly loyal percei/ers of tr.th and
choosers of ri5htC #hich speedily 6eca3e o/er#hel3in5ly /ictorio.s. It #as not that easy in
either direction. $rs. Besant and !ol. 7lcott s.ffered serio.s da3a5e to their rep.tations and
respect for the3 d.rin5 the fi5htC and 3any serio.s do.6ts arose a6o.t these leaders once
tho.5ht infalli6leC e/en a3on5 those #ho finally decided to follo# the3. The #riter has had
the c.rio.s eBperience of seein5 s.ch do.6ts s.ddenly eBpress the3sel/esC in s.rprisin5 and
perhaps .nconscio.s re3arksC e/en in the 3idst of professed .nreser/ed de/otion. There
al#ays has 6een .nreco5niAed conflict in the heart of 3any an AdyariteC d.rin5 the l.rid and
fantastic history of that SocietyC and 3any of its 3e36ers today are not at restC not at peaceC
#ith the3sel/es or their fello#sC #hate/er the o.t#ard profession. @ot s.rprisin5. The /ery
erraticities of the nor3ally intelli5ent and ;.st 3inds of Annie Besant and 7lcottC sho# 3inds
.nder d.ressG and that d.ress slackened in after years to s.ch eBtent that 6oth of the3
pri/ately eBpressed 5ra/e do.6ts a6o.t the =.d5e case. B.t they ne/er 5ained the co.ra5e
to p.6lish the3.
The re3ainder of the !on/entionC follo#in5 the :ar5ro/e #alko.tC adopted the
follo#in5I
-esoledI That this !on/ention re5rets that the Theosophical Society in A3erica
sho.ld ha/e addressed to it a letter of 5reetin5 containin5 3.ch contentio.s 3atterC and in a
for3 #hich 3akes it i3possi6le to accept it officiallyC yet the dele5ates #ish to ass.re their
late collea5.es in A3erica of their hearty sy3pathy in all 3atters pertainin5 to the tr.e
principles of Theosophy and Hni/ersal Brotherhood.
Sinnett #as appointed *ice-President instead of =.d5eC and thereafter =.d5e #as
ha6it.ally referred to as a -secederC- a -for5erC- a -charlatan adeptC- and so forth. Annie
Besant en5a5ed in an eBtended ca3pai5n lar5ely de/oted to deno.ncin5 =.d5e and ;.stifyin5
herself. =.d5e dropped the contro/ersial aspect of the 3atter and de/oted hi3self to 6.ildin5
.p Theosophy p.re and si3ple. There are n.3ero.s letters of his eBtantC #ritten d.rin5 the
sit.ationC all of #hich consistently ad/ise non-reprisalC non-partisanshipC and i3personal #ork.
=.d5e had ne/er 6een a stron5 3an physicallyC and died in 1,0' at "% years of a5e.
The physical and 3ental t.r3oil of the caseC and the 5eneral 6atterin5 to #hich he had 6een
s.6;ectedC are creditedC #e think tr.lyC #ith precipitatin5 his deathC #hich did not appease his
opposition. :is na3e #as p.rs.ed #ith cal.3ny for years.
-----------
We ha/e clai3ed that the real in#ardness of the -=.d5e !aseC- #hich is nothin5 of
past historyC 6.t the still li/in5 fo.ndation of the di/ision and i3potence of the c.rrent
Theosophical $o/e3entC is not to 6e so.5ht in the fli3syC irrationalC and contradictory
acc.sations of 3isde3eanors #hich attended his lon5 persec.tion. It is to 6e fo.nd in the
3a;or philosophical points that he stood forC and #hich #ere in opposition to the
correspondin5 positions of his opponents. It is to 6e fo.nd in the 3anner in #hich the
SocietyC on =.d5e)s o#n recordC #o.ld ha/e 6een cond.cted had his infl.ence in it pre/ailedC
as a5ainst the 3anner in #hich it act.ally #as cond.cted after his re3o/al. All this #e ;.d5e
6y the eBpressed p.rposes of the $asters as 5i/en thro.5h $ada3e Bla/atsky.
A 3an is standin5 for a set of principles. While standin5 for the3C a /iolent opposition
piles .p a5ainst hi3C 6ased .pon contradictoryC conf.sedC and irrational acc.sations of
so3ethin5 else entirely. :e is called into co.rt on those char5esC and eBpresses his
#illin5ness to 3eet the char5es and the -e/idence- 6efore the eyes of all. The opponents
then s.ddenly disco/er that they cannot le5ally try hi3 on the3 in s.ch a 3annerC 6.t repeat
the3 and conspire a5ainst hi3 #ith tireless persistence .ntil the $o/e3ent is split and his
infl.ence eli3inated fro3 the section controlled 6y the3. ThenC .nder that controlC the
Society 3o/es directlyC rapidlyC and consistently a#ay fro3 those principles that he had 6een
.p-holdin5. This is no coincidence.
Since the principles that he .pheld #ere those of :.P.B.C and as it t.rned o.t p.6licly
on the p.6lishin5 of The 'ahatma Letters in 102"C those of the $asters alsoC e/ery intelli5ent
Theosophist #ho 6eco3es con/ersant #ith the recorded facts 3.st 3ake a choiceG for one
of the follo#in5 propositions 3.st 6e tr.eI they cannot 6e tr.e si3.ltaneo.slyI
1. $ada3e Bla/atsky presentedC in )sis 2neiled the #ecret &octrineC and her other
#ritin5sC the act.al and tr.e doctrines and policies of a 6ody of 3enC ter3ed the -BrothersC-)
the $astersC -$ahat3asC- or -RishisC- #ho are of i33e3orial descent and c.stodians of a
/erified #isdo3 far 6eyond the po#er of 3odern 3an to achie/e or correct.
2. S.ch a 6ody of 3en does eBistC and $ada3e Bla/atsky #as their a5entC 6.t she
#as an .nrelia6leC 3ore or less inco3petentC often dishonest a5entC #hose failin5s #ere
tolerated 6y the $asters for lack of a 6etterC .ntil s.ch ti3e as 6etter ones sho.ld appear.
The apparent .pholdin5 of her teachin5s 6y the $astersC in letters pften precipitated directlyC
or #ritten directly to others #itho.t the possi6ility of her a5ency direct or indirectC #ere
so3eho# 5ar6led o.t of reco5nition of their real 3eanin5.
The -6etter a5ents- appeared in the persons of !.W. 1ead6eaterC A.P. SinnettC Annie
BesantC :.S. 7lcottC et al. EAs recorded in the #ritin5s of the 3astersC they had so.5ht /ainly
for o/er a cent.ry for an a5ent of the <.alifications fo.nd in :.P.B. All of a s.ddenC a #hole
coterie of personsC all of #ho3 o#ed e/erythin5 they kne# of Theosophy or the $asters to
:.P.B. in the first placeC #ere fo.nd fit to replace herC 6etter her #orkC and sneer at her? We
do.6t that the fore5oin5 record of for6earanceC 6alanced reason and ;.d53entC consistency
and ;.sticeC <.alified the3 as so 3.ch her 6etters. At any rateC it certainly <.alified the3 as
different.F
. :.P. Bla/atsky #as a tr.e a5entG 6.t the 3asters the3sel/es #ere in process of
learnin5. Theosophy is a -pro5ressi/e science- or -pro5ressi/e reli5ion- to #hich all and
s.ndry 3ay contri6.te ne# tr.th. ETo carry this to a lo5ical concl.sion it #o.ld see3 that they
learned 3ore 6et#een 1,,2 and 1012 then in se/eral tho.sand pre/io.s years.F
@o# proposition 2 i3plicitly in/ol/es the idea - as sho#n 6y Annie Besant)s notion that
the 3essa5es trans3itted 6y =.d5e #ere really fro3 the $asters 6.t trans3itted 6y dishonest
3eans - that the $asters #ill conni/e at dishonesty in order to 5et their 3essa5e o/er. To say
nothin5 of the sort of 3oral d#arfs this #o.ld 3ake the3C s.ch a thesis co3pletely destroys
all relia6ility of anythin5 s.pposed to 6e fro3 the3C 6eca.se .nder that principle they #o.ld at
any ti3e 6e .sin5 a5ents #ho trans3itted false 3essa5es si3.ltaneo.sly. S.ch a sit.ation
#o.ld 6e far #orse than co3plete lack of co33.nicationC 6.t it is eBactly the proposition
e36raced 6y 7lcott and Besant. They use agents ,ho are completely trust,orthy at all times
- barring accidental errors of te6t( grammar( etc" - or they use no agents at all . +or an a5ent
to 6eco3e a false one 3eans to 6eco3e no a5ent. Precisely #hy :.P.B. herself #as the rare
and diffic.lt find of a cent.ry - a priceless 5ift fro3 the $ahat3asC scornf.lly re;ected.
Proposition d#arfs the $asters and the teachin5 3entally and philosophically as
3.ch as Proposition 2 di3inishes it 3orally. It is inco3prehensi6le to .s ho# any intelli5ent
h.3an 6ein5 can read The 'ahatma Letters to #innettC to say nothin5 of the #ecret &octrineC
and still accept either of these propositions. To dis3iss the #hole of the Theosophical effort
as a fra.d and a del.sion is 3ore honest and intelli5ent. 8et neo-theosophy stands or falls on
these 6ases. If it is acceptedC one or 6oth of the3 ha/e to 6e accepted.
What #e think is that #hile so3e h.3an 3inds #ill al#ays c.t do#n any philosophy to
their o#n siAeC the tro.6le in the T.S. in the 3ain is not so 3.ch poor intelli5ence and poor
ethicsC as it is si3ple i5norance of the real philosophy and the history thereof. The tr.th has
6een concealed fro3 later 5enerationsC and the st.dy of the ori5inal 6ooks and the 1etters
ne5lected or disco.ra5ed. What is #orseC and tr.ly ineBc.sa6leC so3e of the neo-
theosophical doctrines ha/e 6een and are today in so3e cases being represented as the
teachings of +"/"B. The aptit.de for real st.dyC analysisC and co3parisonC is /ery rare in the
race 3ind of todayC and the $o/e3ent is no eBception. The 5eneral ta3asic tendency is to
find ne# ideas or principles that see3 to satisfy the c.rrent c.riosity or sol/e a c.rrent 3ental
pro6le3C and to stop there #itho.t lookin5 f.rther. Bet#een all thisC and the personal
5ratit.de for s.pposed 6enefits felt 6y 3any 3e36ers #ho ca3e into the $o/e3ent /ia neo-
theosophy or follo#ed its ori5inatorsC there is often an a.to3atic re;ection of anythin5 that
see3s to dist.r6 the 5ratit.de and the co3fort. So3e letters recei/ed 6y this p.6lication are
c.rios of .nreasonC and of acceptance as 6lind as can 6e fo.nd at any !atholic confessional.
VII. &et'e#t.
To strike at the roots of the 3ission of TheosophyC it #as necessary to .nder3ine its
pri3ary tenet. This is to 6e fo.nd in the Proe3 of the #ecret &octrineC .nder the na3e of the
+irst +.nda3ental Principle. It is the doctrine of Para6rah3C the A6sol.teC the Hnkno#a6leC
6eca.se It is the >no#er itself #ithin the 3ind and so.l of 3an. -That Tho. Art?- It is the
-4ndless Hn6e5.n-C That #hich is fore/er the root and so.rce of all that isC has 6eenC or shall
6e. Bein5 the 7ne Self and the Self of $an - all the Self that eBists - for 3an to deny it 6y
actin5 contrarily to Its nat.reC is to co33it the .lti3ate 6lasphe3y of denyin5 in fact the
/alidity of his o#n eBistenceC a spirit.al s.icideC since no conscio.sness that e/er #as or can
6e is anythin5 6.t a phaseC an aspectC or eBpression of That.
+e# Theosophists co.ld li/e as they act.ally do if this #ere a #orkin5 3od.l.sC a
realiAed factC to the3. This #e say 6eca.se 6y no possi6ility co.ld anyone #ho did
.nderstand the teachin5C s.63it the 6irthri5ht of his independent eBistenceC his #ill and his
po#er of 3oral choiceC his cos3ically innate o6li5ation to direct his o#n e/ol.tionC to any 9od
or priestC teacher or 5.r.C #hatsoe/er. @ot 6y the re3otest chance co.ld he accept s.ch a
do53a asI -This is the ri5ht thin5 to doC 6eca.se IC a 6ein5 3ore po#erf.lC 3ore #iseC so say
.nto yo.?- @ot 6y the re3otest chance co.ld he i3a5ine any 6ein5 capa6le of har3in5 hi3
6.t hi3selfG any 6ein5 a6le to sa/e hi3C other than hi3self. To anyone 5raspin5 this
f.nda3ental tr.th #ith realityC e/en in the fee6lest #ayC the concept of a personal 5od of any
sortC or personal de/il eitherC cannot eBist. :e kno#s that the po#er of da3nation does eBistG
the po#er of sal/ation is realG 6.t they 6oth reside inside hi3self. The notion of an
inter/entor 6et#een hi3self and this hi5her inner po#er 6eco3es 5rotes<.eG indeed it
6eco3es a spirit.al per/ersionC an ad.ltery #ithin the 3arria5e of the inner Self and its
shado#C the personal 3an. The tr.thC once really 5raspedC does a#ay #ith all s.ch fi5.res as
=eho/ahC all s.ch -sa/iors- of 3en fro3 the conse<.ences of their o#n actions as the
3ythical =es.s Ea corr.ption of a once no6le and 5reat tr.thFC and all priesthoods or other
professionalC se3i-professionalC or ordained 5o-6et#eensC -:eads-C -9.r.s-C -1eaders-C or
#hatnot. To one #ho sees thisC there re3ain the differences inherent on the ladder of
4/ol.tionG he sees that 3anifested 6ein5s eBist to learn fro3 each other - 6.t to learn - not
#orship or sla/ishly o6ey. We are fond of callin5 certain ones -$asters-C - tho.5h they said
they preferred the ter3 -Brothers-.
It see3s to .s that those #ho 3i5ht really .nderstand the3C #o.ld find a s.ita6le ter3
in the #ord -+riend-. A friendC ho#e/er 3.ch #iserC does not pretend to order or direct or
p.nishG he s.pplies yo. #ith infor3ation. If that infor3ation is perforce 6itter and 6itin5 as to
yo.r o#n nat.reC all the 5reater the +riendship that in yo.r ser/ice recei/es #itho.t flinchin5
yo.r resent3entC yo.r h.rt prideC perhaps yo.r hatredC and contin.es its .nstinted help. The
st.dy of #hat the $asters and their A5ents ha/e #ritten sho#s that the 3ost caref.lly
5.arded principle of the real Teacher is ne/er to trespass on the sacred ri5ht of 3an to 5.ide
his o#n e/ol.tion and to de/elop his o#n po#ersC no 3atter #hat the conse<.encesC or ho#
painf.l to 6oth.
To ask any 3an to 6elie/e #hate/er idea 6eca.se the 3i5hty ha/e spokenI to set
aside the faintest .r5e of his o#n conscience 6eca.se one s.pposedly no6ler has r.led to the
contraryG to p.nish for indi/id.al tho.5ht and 3oral choiceG to entice #ith re#ards - all this is
the 3ark of the 6lack lod5eG not the White.
The 5reat 5oal of the Self i3prisoned in the ill.sions of 3atter is to kno# Itself as the
one s.pre3e and secondless Po#er. That cannot 6e kno#n so lon5 as the faintest shado#
of dependence on any other 6ein5 eBists. That also 3eans any shado# of dependence on
any thin5 or circ.3stanceC any pleas.re or pain fro3 6et#een the li3its of life and deathC
hea/en and hell. In o.r present sta5e #e are all dependentC 6oth 6eca.se of the sort of
e/ol.tion the /ehicles of the Self are .nder5oin5G and 6eca.se of past 6ad kar3a. It is the
o6;ecti/e of Theosophy to c.re thisC and pro5ress therein is 5a5ed 6y the de5ree to #hich the
3an 3o/es to#ard that state. @o proposition has e/er 6een 3ore 6itterly assailed thro.5h
the a5es 6y those #ho #o.ld ensla/e 3an spirit.allyC 3entallyC and 3orally.
It is assailed today 6y the clericC #ith the acc.sation that it is 3onstro.s /anity for poor
#icked 3an to clai3 hi3self to 6e 9od. It has 6een 6.rned o.t of flinchin5 flesh 6y the fire at
the stake in past ti3esG and al#aysC incessantlyC e/ery#here it is c.nnin5ly 5na#ed a#ay 6y
trickC entice3entC and dark de/ice. As the spirit of 3odern ci/iliAation #hittles a#ay 3anhood
and seeks to transfor3 3an 6ack to 6a6yhood for its profit 6y re3o/in5 all need of anBiety
and physical effortC ;.st so all priesthoods e/ery#here ha/e enticed hi3 6ack into the
s#addlin5 clothes of do53a and a.thority. Precisely as present day ci/iliAation #ill lea/e its
/icti3 .nar3ored a5ainst ad/ersities that must co3e in this or other li/esC so the reli5ions of
dependence strip hi3 a5ainst the ti3e #hen relentless cos3ic e/ol.tion #ill force hi3 to
stand naked and <.ite .nprepared a5ainst the #inds of kar3a. +or the real teachin5 says
that the sin of o3issionC of non-doin5C is #orse than the sin of co33ission. There #as one of
the -1eaders- #ho .sed to say to follo#ers ner/o.s a6o.t re<.ire3ents see3in5ly to
trans5ress the decrees of ethics or #isdo3C -I #ill take the kar3a?- :ere #e ha/e an
interestin5 ill.stration of cos3ic 3athe3atics. S.ch a leader does indeed -take- the kar3aC
pl.s the kar3a of this insolence. B.t he does not take it a,ay fro3 the follo#erC #ho instead
adds to the kar3a of the deed itselfC that of resi5nin5 the 6irthri5ht of his conscience. :ence
fo.r doses of 6ad kar3a are 5enerated fro3 #hat #o.ld ha/e 6een the sin5le dose follo#in5
.pon the self-chosen co33ission of the do.6tf.l deed 6y the follo#er. Is it any #onder that a
#orld order co3posed of those 3ad for co33andC of those seekin5 to 6e co33andedC is
no# lookin5 the hell-6o36 in the face?
The con/erseC as the $ahat3as and the Teachers ha/e so often statedC is also tr.e.
@o 3atter ho# no6le the deedC if done at the 6ehest of another #itho.t ori5inality and
initiati/eC the kar3a accr.es to the ad/isorC not the doerG and the ad/isor hi3self is cheatedC
and 3ore than cheatedC thereofC 6eca.se he has contri6.ted to dependency. :ence the
instr.ctions 5i/en 6y a tr.e $ahat3a are al#ays at a 3ini3.3 le/elG as 3.ch as possi6le is
left to his o#n perception and initiati/eC and an essential part of the process of earning ad/ice
and instr.ction is to ha/e reached the stat.s #here it can 6e follo#ed i3personally and
i3partially #itho.t da3a5e to independence. :ence -instr.ctions- of a real nat.re co3e 3ost
often in the for3 of one)s 6ein5 placed .nder circumstances #hich he 3.st readC and often
#ith 5reat diffic.lty and dan5er. When spoken or #ritten they often co3e as a36i5.o.s hints
only. A case 6efore .s is that of =.d5e in one of the crises of the #ork. :e had adopted of
hi3self a 3istaken policyC one that threatened da3a5e to the #ork that #as first in his o#n
heart. :e #as allo#ed to kno# that the $ahat3a had #ritten to another that =.d5e -#o.ld
ha/e to chan5e his policy-. =.d5e #aited to kno# in #hat direction. :e #as ne/er told
anythin5 f.rther .ntil he fo.nd the ri5ht ans#er for hi3self. In the 4soteric Instr.ctions as
#ritten 6y :.P.B. is the state3ent that the candidate -3.st adopt so3e fe# ascetic practices.-
@ot a fe# ha/e #aited for o/er siBty years to find o.t #hat those practices #ere s.pposed to
6eC and 3ore often accepted instr.ctions as to the3 6y s.6se<.ent -leaders-C or -:eads-C not
kno#in5 that they had recei/ed all the -instr.ctions- of that kind that #ere to 6e forthco3in5C
in their de5reeC scattered thro.5h the literat.re of the teachin5s to choose fro3. What is
-ascetic- to one is 3erely nor3al to another. EThe present #riter neither s3okes nor drinks.
That does not 3ake hi3 an asceticC 6eca.se these ha6itsC #hen triedC 3erely poison hi3. It
is only the 3an to #ho3 they appeal #ho 6eco3es an -ascetic- 6y con<.erin5 the3. A 3an
3.st search o.t the intricate hidin5 places of the 3aterial foe in his o#n partic.lar nat.re and
6.rn the3 o.t. *irt.e directed 6y hi5her a.thorityC or #hose practice is 3ore pleasant than
the oppositeC does not ad/ance one on the Path.F
-----------
We ha/e inserted #hat 3ay see3 an .nd.ly lon5 philosophical dis<.isition in a
contro/ersial articleC 6eca.se in order to reco5niAe the nat.re of a destroyerC it is necessary to
ha/e a clear idea of #hat is 6ein5 destroyed. $odern psycholo5y hasC #ith considera6le
insi5htC paid 3.ch attention to the pheno3ena of the retreat fro3 life that often is resorted to
6y those #ho ha/e 6een #hipped 6y inner or o.ter pro6le3s. There are for3s of s.icide
other than 6y 5.n or c.p. +orced to face its ad.lt responsi6ilities .nreadyC the tort.red so.l
relapses into del.sions and drea3sG often 6eco3es a 3ad3anC catatonicC schiAophrenicC
paranoicG the condition is often physically sy36olised 6y the c.rled -fetal position- in sleep or
catalepsyC 6rin5in5 6ack in fancy the #ar3th and f.llnessC the in/iolate protection of the
#o36. 7pinion see3s 3o/in5 to the ideaC correctly as #e thinkC that all for3s of 3ental
a6errationC other than ca.sed 6y physical in;.ryC are retreats.
The traditional -1ion Position- of the sleepin5 ArhatC the defiance of the fetal s.rrenderC
had 3ore in it as a sy36ol than #anderin5 fancy. Theosophy is the -1ion PositionG- the
reli5ions are fetalG and chief a3on5 the3 in s.6tle ill.sion and entice3ent is the
con5lo3erate called -neo-theosophy.-
-----------
No. VIII. Te Pull:#%"
We no# re/ie# 3ore f.lly the <.estion of the real relation 6et#een pop.lar reli5ion and
Theosophy as it #as ta.5ht and intended to 6eG for this is the cr.B of the <.estion of neo-
theosophy. :ere #e 3.st dip so3e#hat a5ain into philosophyC for the pro6le3 can 6e
properly .nderstood only a5ainst a rather co3prehensi/e 6ack5ro.nd. 4/idence .pon
e/idenceC proof .pon proofC can 6e piled .p to sho# the /iolent conflict 6et#een the /ie#s of
the $ahat3as and their pri3ary A5entC and those held in neo-theosophy. The pressin5
3atter is to sho# ho# /ery critical and i3portant these conflicts are to the f.t.re of the race.
$an e3er5es fro3 pri3al ni5htC in the periodic da#n follo#in5 pralayaC as an
.nenc.36ered SelfC a spark of the 4ternalC heir to all its potential po#ers. The de/elop3ent
of the 3anifested Hni/erse is d.e to cos3ic desireC -the pri3al 5er3 of 3ind.- The 3ankind
of the past a#akens to rene#ed desireC to the res.3ption of feelin5 and sensationC on se/eral
le/elsC as it eBisted #hen the .ni/erse slept. There are 3inds #ho ha/e 5one so hi5h as
ne/er a5ain to fall into the a6yss of 3aterial i5noranceG others a#aken and co3plete their
e/ol.tion at /ario.s sta5esG so3e ha/e to r.n the #hole 5a3.t of the fall into the .t3ost
depths of 3aterialityC s.fferin5 and en;oyin5 thro.5ho.t these lo#er eBperiences 6efore the
#hole of life 6eco3es kno#n to the3 and they also reach e3ancipation. B.t #itho.t
eBception all self-conscio.s 6ein5s ha/e 6een 3en - rationalC thinkin5 6ein5s .nder #hate/er
/ariant for3s. They #ill a5ain 6eco3e 3en - and a5ain and a5ainC .ntil the lesson of the
nat.re of their o#n eBistence is learned. The dri/e 6ehind the #hole of this e/ol.tion is
cos3ic desireC takin5 for3 in each -spark- fro3 the re3ainin5 shado# or -pri/ation- of past
kar3a. It is all the prototype of the de/achanic period and re6irth of the nor3al 3an of today
- 6.t on a /astly #ider scale. 7n the do#n#ardC e/er 3aterialiAin5 co.rseC desires 3.ltiplyC
feedin5 .pon the3sel/es and 6eco3in5 infinitely co3pleB. $ind dri/en 6y desireC creates
3aterial for3 o.t of inchoate PrakritiG these for3sC 6y intense 3editation -#ith a seedC- and
lon5 ha6itC 6eco3e solidC see3in5ly self-eBistent. D#ellin5 .pon the3C 3an 6eco3es
entrappedC en3eshedC and for5ets his o#n a5ency in their creation. They see3 eBternaliAed
to his o#n conscio.snessG tho.5h all of the st.ff of drea3sC they see3 real. See3in5 real
and see3in5 separate fro3 hi3selfC he finds hi3self in opposition to so3eC in har3ony #ith
others. So3e see3 3ore po#erf.l than hi3selfC so3e #eaker. :ence arises the
co3parisons of po#erG the notion of po#er a6sol.teC and of .tter helplessness in contrastG
the notion of -5ood- - that isC #hat see3s to 6e pleasin5 to hi3self - and of -e/ilC- or that
#hich see3 displeasin5 to hi3self. The po#er of the creati/e i3a5ination is .nli3itedG 5oin5
to lo5ical endsC 5ods and de/ils are created in see3in5G 6.t the 3an affected is alone the
creatorG none of these ill.sionary a5encies can ha/e any po#er or any /irt.e that is not in
hi3selfG for they are 6orn of his o#n 3etaphysical flesh and 6lood. B.t he 3eets on the
re6o.nd the kar3a of his o#n past deeds of other 3an/antarasC co3po.nded 6y ne# deeds
of the ne# cycle. This kar3a co3es 6ack at hi3 thro.5h channels pleasant and .npleasantC
#hich see3C in his i5noranceC not to 6e his o#nC 6.t the creation of these 5ods and de/ils.
The only tr.e #orship in the .ni/erse is the #orship of the -inco5niAa6le >aranaC- the
9reat Self #ithinC #hich is the Self of the Hni/erse and the Self of all 6ein5sG and its #orship
consists si3ply in the retainedC acti/eC and potent 3e3ory that 3an hi3self is That and no
other. The practicality of that #orship is that he li/e in the 3anner indicated - for the 5ood of
all 6ein5s. This alone #ill keep ali/e in hi3 this 3e3oryG this 3e3ory alone #ill e/er ena6le
the se3i-detached and half-s3othered -spark- to find its #ay a5ain to the central fireG to
a/oid disinte5rati/e a6sorption into the froAen depths of .ne/ol/ed PrakritiC and a ret.rn to
PralayaC not as a self-conscio.s entity 6.t as a passi/e inert 3ass. This thin5C the #anderin5
and conf.sed -sparkC- is that #hich a 3an 3eans #hen he says that his na3e is S3ith or
=onesC and identifies hi3self #ith 3aterial for3C and place. It is s.ch a spark that here #ritesC
and there6y co33.nes #ith other s.ch 5li33erin5sC in the 3.t.al effort to re5ain to5ether -
for it can only 6e so re5ained - the pri3al stateC pl.s the painf.lly ac<.ired kno#led5e
accr.in5 d.rin5 these #anderin5s a3id the ill.sions of 3atter.
4ach of .sC like the #orld or the solar syste3 itselfC has a certain lo#er li3it to the arc
of his dip into 3atter. 1o#er he cannot 5o #itho.t eBtinction and rea6sorption into !haos -
Prakriti .nfor3ed. To rise is painf.lly to re/erse the easy descent of the a5es. $an 6eco3es
.nhappy #ith the state of thin5s aro.nd hi3G he di3ly realiAes that there is a 6etter real3C
and that in hi3 is a 6etter 3an than he 3ay ha/e tho.5ht. The 3a5ic to.ch of .nfor5otten
kno#led5e reaches hi3 a5ainG thro.5h inner inspirationC or a spoken or #ritten 6y so3e one
or ones #ho ha/e ne/er descended to <.ite his o#n le/el of i5noranceG and the .p#ard
str.55le 6e5ins. :ere at once he 6e5ins to 3eet the inn.3era6le -D#ellers of the
ThresholdG- for this di3 str.55le of the co33on 3an for 6etter .nderstandin5 is the initial
pro6ationary effort of the race as chela. :e #ho conscio.sly stri/es for indi/id.al chelaship
precipitates .pon hi3self the str.55le that the #hole race 3.st #inC or perish in so.l as in
6ody. The difference is that he has .ndertaken to co/er in a fe# short years #hat the rest of
the race #ill 6l.nderC str.55leC and s.ffer thro.5h 6y erratic de5reesC for 3illions of years to
co3e.
These -d#ellers of the threshold- are the lon5-standin5 3aterial ha6its and appetites
5enerated thro.5h the a5esG they are crystalliAed ideas a6o.t hi3self and a6o.t his .ni/erseC
#hichC created in descentC 3.st 6e 6roken 6efore ascent 6e5ins. They ha/e their o#n lifeG
p.t into the3 6y hi3self in for5otten yearsG and that life is po#erf.lly reinforced 6y its
alliances #ith inn.3era6le entitiesC 3aterial and psychicC 6lindly ani3al or intelli5ently e/ilC
that ha/e learned to /a3piriAe his spirit.al 6lood for aeons. By their /ery constit.tionC these
co3panions pre/ent the atte3pt to reascend. Their nat.re for6idsG their instinct is e/er
do#n#ard. Says $ephistopheles in 1austI -Ich 6in der 9eist der stets /erneint- - -I a3 the
Spirit that e/er denies.- +or this Spirit - the collecti/e Satan of the castoff po#ers of 3anC the
fail.res of nat.reC the lo#er conscio.snesses #hose dri/e is still do#n#ard .nredee3ed -
3.st star/e and disinte5rate 3isera6ly into the 5reat -d.st6inC- the fa3o.s 6.t little
.nderstood -ei5hth sphere- of that #hich has no f.rther place in an e/ol/in5 Hni/erse sa/e as
ra# 3aterial for re#orkin5. All that holds it in 6ein5 is the ener5y of #illC the po#ers of 3ind
and e3otion that it leeches fro3 3en the3sel/es. When 3an 5irds .p his loins and re5ains
his 6irthri5ht of the spirit.al #ill - these do#n#ard po#ers 6e5in to star/e.
Their nat.ral ha6itat is #ithin 3an and aro.nd 3anG they li/e in his so.l as the
syphilitic spirochete li/es in the tiss.es of the 6rain and st.ltifies its po#ers. Their ai3 is to
li/e 6y 3aintainin5 their lod5e3entG their 3ethodC to pleaseC to placateC to sed.ceG the
channel of the sed.ctionC #hate/er #eakness resides 6y nat.re in the i3perfectly e/ol/ed
3ind. +ro3 the deadly l.re of the tastes for alcohol and opi.3C to the deadlier dr.5s of
/icario.s atone3ent and of spirit.al dependenceC they all -feel 5oodG- they 5i/e ecstasies
and enthrallin5 /isionsC they pro3ise sal/ation for nothin5C and the free re3ission of sins.
Their ser/ice is a deadlier sla/ery in that it is al#ays a #illin5 sla/ery. The ny3pho3aniac
lon5s for c.re only in the 6rief inter/al of sha3e and 3isery follo#in5 the rec.rrent deedG
the opi.3 addict fi5hts a5ainst c.re as he #o.ld fi5ht for his lifeG the dr.nkard sees his
de3on clearly only in the ho.rs of -han5o/er.- At all other ho.rs these l.res -feel 5oodG- they
5i/e 6ri5ht pro3ises of eternal pleas.re. When a real c.re 6e5ins to 6e appliedC the /icti3 is
assailed #ith horrors and an5.ish of 6ody and so.lG the /ice has 6eco3e hi3selfG life
threatens to 5o #ith itC and so3eti3es does.
@o# the 5reatest of all these d#ellers of the thresholdC the one of deepest 5rip on the
fi6er of 3ind and so.lC the one 3ost cherished 6y the ene3ies of 3an as a 3eans of holdin5
hi3 in #illin5 thralldo3C is reli5ion of that sortC and any sortC #hich re3o/es in fancy the
responsi6ility of a 3an for his o#n sins and /irt.esC and teaches that for hi3 there can 6e any
sal/ation sa/e #ithin hi3self and of hi3self. +or so lon5 as he relies on any see3in5ly
eBternal po#er at allC he denies his eBistenceC he co33its the 9reat :eresyC he 3.st re3ain
i5norant of his real nat.reC .na6le to take the first .p#ard step to his ne#C yet old estate as
free spiritC conscio.sly one #ith the S.pre3e.
A3on5 its 3any liesC co33.nis3 no# and then pro;ects a p.re tr.th. 7ne of the3 is
that -reli5ion is the opi.3 of the people.- ETr.eC to itC the .ndesira6ility of that opi.3 rests
.pon so3ethin5 <.ite other than #hat it rests .pon in Theosophy. To the co33.nistC reli5ion
is 6ad 6eca.se it ensla/es 3an to other 3asters than hi3self. In co33.nis3C it is 6ad
6eca.se it separates 3an fro3 3atterG in TheosophyC 6eca.se it separates hi3 fro3 his o#n
spirit.F
+or e/ery 3anC the infl.ence of this spirit is enno6lin5 and redee3in5G the yieldin5 to
.neBa3ined infl.ences fro3 #itho.tC da3nin5. All the personal reli5ions are fo.nded on a
deep distr.st for the spirit #ithin 3anC as all dictatorships are fo.nded on a deep distr.st of
his innate intelli5ence. By lon5 ha6it of corr.ptionC these distr.sts ha/e 6eco3e #ell fo.nded.
The paralysis of 3oral #ill that res.lts fro3 s.rrenderin5 conscience to eBternal 5ods #ill in
the end c.t off the 3ind of 3an fro3 the infl.ence of his o#n spirit. The atrophy of political
intelli5ence res.ltin5 fro3 6lind reliance .pon leadersC ine/ita6ly 3akes the 3an a political
idiot.
Th.s society today.
7nly so3e 3ass hypnosis and 3oral paralysis co.ld ha/e 6linded 3ankind to the
i3plications of the hideo.s history of pop.lar reli5ion. As said :.P. Bla/atskyC the str.ct.res
of 6oth Isla3 and !hristianity ha/e 6een reared .pon hea/en-kissin5 pyra3ids of h.3an
sc.llsG and of the older reli5ionsC too often $olochC not $ercyC #as the prototype. AAtec and
$ayan sacrifice 6.t follo#ed a 5eneral 3odel. :o# can thinkin5 3en for5et the In<.isitionC
#hose life eBtended al3ost to o.r o#n epochG or the lon5 3artyrdo3 and eBtinction of the
Al6i5enses and the *a.doisG or the Thirty 8ear)s #ar or the Ar3enian 3assacresG or e/en in
the case of the -5entle :ind.C- the horrors that attended the partition of India and Pakistan in
o.r o#n ti3e? Within the so-called -!hristian 4raC- to say nothin5 of older periodsC and .p to
the ti3e of the in/ention of e/en #orse reli5ions 6y fascist and co33.nistC 3ore 3en #ere
6.tcheredG 3ore #o3en rapedC 3ore infants dise36o#eledC .nder the .r5e of reli5ionC direct
and indirectC than .nder any other fla5.
We li/e in another ti3e - or so #e think. 8et the Bi6le that the preacher #a/es re3ains
the classic 3an.al of 6r.tal tri6al con<.estC of 3.rderC tort.reC rapine and sla/ery. Hnder the
leadership of his a#f.l tri6al 5odC the ancient :e6re# fell a5ain into capti/ityG and .pon
escapin5C so.5ht #ith dreadf.l fer/or the con<.est of others. +or to this 5od had he
s.rrendered all of di/ine h.3an conscience. :itler 6.t s.6stit.ted for =eho/ah the e<.ally
dread i3a5e of 9er3aniaG 1eninC TrotskyC and Stalin an e<.ally 3ythical and e<.ally terri6le
-proletariatC- #hose #orship has had its h.3an sacrifices of 3illions star/ed and 3assacred
in the na3e of) a -people- #ho #ere the3sel/es.
And #e in A3ericaC horror-stricken at these 3odern $olochsC ha/e erected a 5od 3ore
deadly still - the 5od of the n.cle.s. +aithf.l to tr.e A3erican practicality and efficiencyC no
3ythical 5od eitherC 6.t one #hich really eBists and #orks. We ha/e s.rrendered o.r
conscience to ato3ic theolo5yG the destr.ction of a nation that 3i5ht threaten .sC is to .s only
#hat the destr.ction of =ericho #as to =osh.a. Where is o.r -tr.st in 9od?- It is clear
eno.5h #hat 5od #e tr.st. 4/er and fore/er the po#er #itho.tG ne/er the Po#er #ithin.
We ha/e one Po#er - e/en the lo#liest and #eakest of .s all - hi5her than any that
hea/en or hell can 6rin5 a5ainst .s. It is the po#er to li/e a5ain no 3atter ho# 3any
perisha6le 6odies fall a#ay fro3 .s. This Po#er 3akes nothin5 of ato3 6o36 or hell 6o36.
To It they are tri/ialities. Why don)t #e .se itC to restore o.r sanityC ease o.r horrorC and #ork
o.r sal/ation? Beca.se the tie is 6rokenG the po#er is for5otten.
The -heathen heart- that placed its tr.st -in reekin5 t.6e and iron shard- #as o.r heartG
reekin5 t.6e and iron shard passed into des.et.de and #ere replaced 6y #eapons of s.icideC
#ith #isdo3 yet to da#n. Personal reli5ion 3.st 6ear the 6la3e. Thro.5h history it 3ade
3an a creat.reC a #eaklin5C dependent for sal/ation .pon ill.sionary po#ers that ne/er
eBisted and ne/er co.ld eBist. It set 3an a5ainst 3anC and crystalliAed the ha6it of hateG it
3ade 3en 6y the 3illions #illin5 tools of the .nscr.p.lo.s in the na3e of the $ost :i5h.
Hnder the 6est face that can 6e p.t .pon itC it acco3plished no sal/ationG o6;ecti/ely it
created 3any a hell .pon earthG .nder the #orst faceC it may ha/e achie/ed the o6literation
of ci/iliAation for 3any a cent.ry.
The one po#er that #as to ha/e restored 3an to kno#led5e of his ancient nat.reC of
his o#n potential o3nipotence for 5oodC #as Theosophy. @o# in its nest creeps the c.ckooC
neo-theosophyC and ed5es the fled5lin5s of the tr.e 3other off into spaceC and to for5otten
death in the lea/es 6elo#.
We introd.ce in e/idence once 3ore #hat the $asters and their A5ent had to say
a6o.t this ancient pro6le3.
Were it possi6leC #e #o.ld keep this #ork o.t of the hands of 3any !hristians #ho3
its per.sal #o.ld not 6enefitC and for #ho3 it #as not #ritten. We all.de to those #hose faith
in their respecti/e ch.rches is p.re and sincereC and those #hose sinless li/es reflect the
5lorio.s eBa3ple of that Prophet of @aAarethC 6y #hose 3o.th the spirit of tr.th spake lo.dly
to h.3anity. S.ch there ha/e 6een at all ti3es. :istory preser/es the na3es of 3any as
heroesC philosophersC philanthropistsC 3artyrsC and holy 3en and #o3enG 6.t ho# 3any
3ore ha/e li/ed and diedC .nkno#n 6.t to their inti3ate ac<.aintanceC .n6lessed 6.t 6y their
h.36le 6eneficiaries? These ha/e enno6led !hristianityC 6.t #o.ld ha/e shed the sa3e
l.stre .pon any other faith they 3i5ht ha/e professed - for they #ere hi5her than their creed.
The 6ene/olence of Peter !ooper and 4liAa6eth Tho3psonC of A3ericaC #ho are not
orthodoB !hristiansC is no less !hrist-like than that of the Baroness An5ela B.rdett-!o.ttsC of
4n5landC #ho is one. And yetC in co3parison #ith the 3illions #ho ha/e 6een acco.nted
!hristiansC s.ch ha/e al#ays for3ed a s3all 3inority. They are to 6e fo.nd at this dayC in
p.lpit and pe#C in palace and cotta5eG 6.t the increasin5 3aterialis3C #orldliness and
hypocrisy are fast di3inishin5 their proportionate n.36er. Their charityC and si3pleC child-like
faith in the infalli6ility of their Bi6leC their do53asC and their cler5yC 6rin5 into f.ll acti/ity all the
/irt.es that are i3planted in o.r co33on nat.re. We ha/e personally kno#n s.ch 9od-
fearin5 priests and cler5y3enC and #e ha/e al#ays a/oided de6ate #ith the3C lest #e 3i5ht
6e 5.ilty of the cr.elty of h.rtin5 their feelin5sG nor #o.ld #e ro6 a sin5le lay3an of his 6lind
confi-
--------------
O @ot the ch.rch =es.sC 6.t a =e#ish adept li/in5 a6o.t a cent.ry 6efore - accordin5 to
:.P.B.)s other #ritin5s.
-------------
denceC if it alone 3ade possi6le for hi3 holy li/in5 and serene dyin5.
An analysis of reli5io.s 6eliefs in 5eneralC this /ol.3e is in partic.lar directed a5ainst
theolo5ical !hristianityC the chief opponent of free tho.5ht. It contains not one #ord a5ainst
the p.re teachin5s of =es.sC 6.t .nsparin5ly deno.nces their de6ase3ent into pernicio.s
ecclesiastical syste3s that are r.ino.s to 3an)s faith in his i33ortality and his 9odC and
s.6/ersi/e to all 3oral restraint.
We cast o.r 5a.ntlet at the do53atic theolo5ians #ho ensla/e 6oth history and
scienceG and especially at the *aticanC #hose despotic pretensions ha/e 6eco3e hatef.l to
the 5reater portion of !hristendo3. The cler5y apartC none 6.t the lo5icianC the in/esti5atorC
the da.ntless eBplorer sho.ld 3eddle #ith 6ooks like this. S.ch del/ers after tr.th ha/e the
co.ra5e of their opinions. EPreface to )sis 2neiledC Part II.F
There follo#ed this in )sisC 3any pa5es of relentless eBa3ination of !hristianityC and
especially the !atholic !h.rchC clear do#n to the roots. @o stat.s #as left it sa/e that of
fra.d and del.sion.
7ther references in other Theosophical #orksC in /ast n.36ersC o.5ht to ha/e settled
the <.estion once and for all for e/ery intelli5ent and #ell-read Theosophist. B.t it see3s that
the #ell-read Theosophist is a rara ais these daysG as to intelli5ence - perhaps 6est let the
record of the $o/e3ent speak for itself.
1et .s place other #itnesses on the stand - the $asters the3sel/esI
... While not .nparalleledC or #itho.t their co.nterpart in .ni/ersal historyC these
pheno3ena 3.st and #ill co3e #ith an o/erpo#erin5 infl.ence .pon the #orld of sceptics
and 6i5ots. They hae to pro/e 6oth destr.cti/e and constr.cti/e - destructie of the
pernicio.s errors of the PastC in the old creeds and s.perstitions #hich s.ffocate in their
poisono.s e36race like the $eBican #eed ni5h all 3ankind O ..... EThe 'ahatma LettersC p.
2.F
..... ThereforeC #e deny 9od 6oth as philosophers and as B.ddhists. We kno# there
are planetary and other spirit.al li/esC and #e kno# there is in o.r syste3 no s.ch thin5 as
9odC either personal or i3personal. Para6rah3 is not a 9odC 6.t a6sol.te i33.ta6le la#C
and Is#ar is the effect of A/idya and $ayaC i5norance 6ased .pon the 5reat del.sion. The
#ord -9od- #as in/ented to desi5nate the .nkno#n ca.se of those effects #hich 3an has
either ad3ired or dreaded #itho.t .nderstandin5 the3C and since #e clai3 and that #e are
a6le to pro/e #hat #e clai3 - i.e.C the kno#led5e of that ca.se and ca.ses #e are in a
position to 3aintain there is no 9od or 9ods 6ehind the3.
The idea of 9od is not an innate 6.t an ac<.ired notionC and #e ha/e 6.t one thin5 in
co33on #ith theolo5ies - #e re/eal the infinite.
----------
OAn apt eBpressionG the -$eBican #eed- is the -loco #eedC- a c.rse of the plains #hich
3ade horses insane.
-----------
B.t #hile #e assi5n to all the pheno3ena that proceed fro3 the infinite and li3itless spaceC
d.ration and 3otionC material( natural( sensible and !no,n Eto .s at leastF ca.seC the theists
assi5n the3 spirit.alC s.per-nat.ral and .nintelli5i6le and .nkno#n ca.ses. The 9od of the
Theolo5ians is si3ply as i3a5inary po#erC un loup garou as d):ol6ach eBpressed it - a poser
#hich has ne/er yet 3anifested itself. .ur cheif aim is to delier humanity of this nightmare(O
to teach 3an /irt.e for its o#n sakeC and to #alk in life relyin5 on hi3self instead of leanin5 on
a theolo5ical cr.tchC that for co.ntless a5es #as the direct ca.se of nearly all h.3an 3isery.
Pantheistic #e 3ay 6e called - a5nostic neer. If people are #illin5 to accept and to re5ard as
9od o.r 7@4 1ife i33.ta6le and .nconscio.s in its eternityC they 3ay do so and th.s keep to
one 3ore 5i5antic 3isno3er... EDo. p. %2F ... Therefore the 9od here offered to the adoration
of the QIQth cent.ry lacks e/ery <.ality .pon #hich 3an)s 3ind is capa6le of fiBin5 any
;.d53ent. What is this in fact 6.t a 6ein5 of #ho3 they can affir3 nothing that is not instantly
contradicted. Their o#n Bi6le their Re/elation destroys all the 3oral perceptions they heap
.pon hi3 .nless indeed they call those <.alities perfections that e/ery other 3an)s reason
and co33on sense call i3perfectionsC odio.s /ices and 6r.tal #ickedness. @ay 3ore he
#ho reads o.r B.ddhist script.res #ritten for the s.perstitio.s 3asses #ill fail to find in the3
a de3on so /indicti/eC .n;.stC so cr.el and so st.pid as the celestial tyrant .pon #ho3 the
!hristians prodi5ally la/ish their ser/ile #orship and on #ho3 their theolo5ians heap those
perfections that are contradicted on e/ery pa5e of their Bi6le ... EDo. p. %"F
..... I #ill point o.t the 5reatestC the chief ca.se of nearly t#o-thirds of the e/ils that
p.rs.e h.3anity e/er since that ca.se 6eca3e a po#er. It is reli5ion .nder #hate/er for3
and in #hate/er nation. It is the sacerdotal casteC the priesthood and the ch.rches. It is in
those ill.sions that 3an looks .pon as sacredC that he has to search o.t the so.rce of that
3.ltit.de of e/ils #hich is the 5reat c.rse of h.3anity and that al3ost o/er#hel3s 3ankind.
I5norance created 9ods and c.nnin5 took ad/anta5e of opport.nity. 1ook at India and look
at !hristendo3 and Isla3C at =.dais3 and +etichis3. It is priestly i3post.re that rendered
these 9ods so terri6le to 3anG it is reli5ion that 3akes of hi3 the selfish 6i5otC the fanatic that
hates all 3ankind o.t of his o#n sect #itho.t renderin5 hi3 any 6etter or 3ore 3oral for it. It
is 6elief in 9od and 9ods that 3akes t#o-thirds of h.3anity the sla/es of a handf.l of those
#ho decei/e the3 .nder the false pretence of sa/in5 the3. Is not 3an e/er ready to co33it
any kind of e/il if told that his 9od or 5ods de3and the cri3eG /ol.ntary /icti3 of an
ill.sionary 9odC the a6;ect sla/e of his crafty 3inisters. The IrishC Italian and Slo/onian
peasant #ill star/e hi3self and see his fa3ily
-----------------
O Italics o.rs. 4ds. Notes.
-----------------
star/in5 and naked to feed and clothe his padre and pope. +or t#o tho.sand years India
5roaned .nder the #ei5ht of casteC Brah3ins alone feedin5 on the fat of the landC and today
the follo#ers of !hrist and those of $aho3et are c.ttin5 each other)s throats in the na3es of
and for the 5reat 5lory of their respecti/e 3yths. Re3e36er the s.3 of 3isery #ill ne/er 6e
di3inished .nto that day #hen the 6etter portion of h.3anity destroys in the na3e of Tr.thC
3oralityC and .ni/ersal charityC the altars of these false 5ods. EDo. p. %(-,F
And no# to yo.r eBtraordinary hypothesis that e/il #ith its attendant train of sin and
s.fferin5 is not the res.lt of 3atterC 6.t 3ay 6e perchance the #ise sche3e of the 3oral
9o/ernor of the Hni/erse. !oncei/a6le as the idea 3ay see3 to yo. trained in the pernicio.s
fallacy of the !hristianC - -the #ays of the 1ord are inscr.ta6le- - it is .tterly inconcei/a6le for
3e. $.st I repeat a5ain that the 6est Adepts ha/e searched he Hni/erse d.rin5 the
3illenni.3s and fo.nd no#here the sli5htest trace of s.ch a $achia/ellian sche3er - 6.t
thro.5ho.tC the sa3e i33.ta6leC ineBora6le la#. 8o. 3.st eBc.se 3e therefore if I positi/ely
decline to #aste 3y ti3e o/er s.ch childish spec.lations. It is not -the #ays of the 1ord- 6.t
rather those of so3e eBtre3ely intelli5ent 3en in e/erythin5 6.t so3e partic.lar ho66y that
are to 3e inco3prehensi6le... EDo. p. 1"2F
...:e 3akes of .s AgnosticsI 8e do not 6elie/e in 9od 6eca.se so farC ,e hae no
proof( etc. This is prepostero.sly ridic.lo.sI if he p.6lishes #hat I readC I #ill ha/e :.P.B. or
D;.al >hool deny the #hole thin5G as I cannot per3it o.r sacred philosophy to 6e so
disfi5.red. :e says that people #ill not accept the #hole tr.thG that .nless #e h.3o.r the3
#ith a hope that there 3ay 6e a -lo/in5 +ather and creator of All in hea/en- o.r philosophy
#ill 6e re;ected a priori" If they do not #ant the #hole tr.thC and nothin5 6.t the tr.thC they are
#elco3e. B.t ne/er #ill they find us - Eat any rateF co3pro3isin5 #ithC and panderin5 to
p.6lic pre;.dices... EDo. p. 2"F ... 4cclesiastical 4n5land and official an5lo India ha/e
secretly ;oined hands to ha/e their #orst s.spicions erified if possi6le and at the first
pla.si6le preteBt to crash the 3o/e3ent. 4/ery infa3o.s de/ice is to 6e e3ployed in the
f.t.re as it has in the present to discredit us - as its pro3oters and yo.rsel/es as its
s.pporters. +or the opposition represents enor3o.s /ested interestsC and they ha/e
enth.siastic help fro3 the D.5pas - in Bhootan and the *atican? .... EDo. p. 22.F
As to the aforesaid po#ers and forces that /a3piriAe the 3oral nat.re of 3an in order
to s.stain these reli5ionsC #e s.63it the follo#in5I
...They ;oin the SocietyC and tho.5h re3ainin5 as st.66orn as e/er in their old 6eliefs
and s.perstitionsC and ha/in5 ne/er 5i/en .p caste or one sin5le of their c.sto3sC theyC in
their selfish eBcl.si/enessC eBpect to see and con/erse #ith .s and ha/e o.r help in all and
e/erythin5. I #ill 6e pleased if $r. Sinnett saysC to e/eryone of those #ho 3ay address hi3
#ith si3ilar pretensions the follo#in5I -The )Brothers) desire 3e to infor3 one and all of yo.C
nati/esC that .nless a 3an is prepared to 6eco3e a thoro.5h theosophistC i"e.C to do as D.
$a/alankar didC - 5i/e .p entirely casteC his old s.perstitions and sho# hi3self a tr.e
refor3er Eespecially in the case of child 3arria5eF he #ill re3ain si3ply a 3e36er of the
Society #ith no hope #hate/er of e/er hearin5 fro3 .s. The SocietyC actin5 in this directly in
accordance #ith o.r ordersC forces no one to become a theosophist of the ))d #ection. It is
left #ith hi3self and at his choice. It is .seless for a 3e36er to ar5.e )I a3 one of a p.re lifeC
I a3 a tea-totaller and an a6stainer fro3 3eat and /ice. All 3y aspirations are for 5oodC etc.)
and heC atC the sa3e ti3eC 6.ildin5 6y his acts and deeds an i3passa6le 6arrier on the road
6et#een hi3self and .s. What ha/e #eC the disciples of the tr.e ArhatsC of esoteric B.ddhis3
and of San5yas to do #ith the #hasters and 7rthodoB Brah3anis3? There are 122 of
tho.sands of +akirsC Sannyasis and Saddh.s leadin5 the 3ost p.re li/esC and yet 6ein5 as
they areC on the path of errorC ne/er ha/in5 had an opport.nity to 3eetC see or e/en hear of
.s. Their forefathers ha/e dri/en the follo#ers of the only tr.e philosophy .pon earth a#ay
fro3 India and no#C it is not for the latter to co3e to the3 6.t for the3 to co3e to .s if they
#ant .s. Which of the3 is ready to 6eco3e a B.ddhistC a @astika as they call .s? @one.
Those #ho ha/e 6elie/ed and follo#ed .s ha/e had their re#ard. $r. Sinnett and :.3e are
eBceptions. Their 6eliefs are no 6arrier to .s for they ha/e none. They 3ay ha/e had
infl.ences aro.nd the3G had 3a5netic e3anations the res.lt of drinkC Society and
pro3isc.o.s physical associations Eres.ltin5 e/en fro3 shakin5 hands #ith i3p.re 3enF 6.t
all this is physical and 3aterial i3pedi3ents #hich #ith a little effort #e co.ld co.nteract and
e/en clear a#ay #itho.t 3.ch detri3ent to o.rsel/es. @ot so #ith the 3a5netis3 and
in/isi6le res.lts proceedin5 fro3 erroneo.s and sincere 6eliefs. +aith in the 9ods and 9odC
and other s.perstitions attracts 3illions of forei5n infl.encesC li/in5 entities and po#erf.l
a5ents aro.nd the3C #ith #hich #e #o.ld ha/e to .se 3ore than ordinary eBercise of po#er
to dri/e the3 a#ay. We do not choose to do so. We do not find it either necessary or
profita6le to lose o.r ti3e #a5in5 #ar to the .npro5ressed /lanetaries #ho deli5ht in
personatin5 5ods and so3eti3es #ell kno#n characters #ho ha/e li/ed on earth. There are
Dhyan-!hohans and !hohans of DarknessC- not #hat they ter3 deils 6.t i3perfect
-intelli5ences- #ho ha/e ne/er 6een 6orn on this or any other earth or sphere no 3ore than
the -Dhyan !hohans- ha/e and #ho #ill ne/er 6elon5 to the -6.ilders of the Hni/erseC- the
p.re Planetary Intelli5encesC #ho preside at e/ery 'anantara #hile the Dark !hohans
preside at the Pralayas. 4Bplain this to $r. Sinnett ... tell hi3 to read o/er #hat I said in the
fe# thin5s I ha/e eBplained and to $r. :areG and let hi3 re3e36er that as all in this .ni/erse
is contrast ... so the li5ht of the Dhyan-!hohans and their p.re intelli5ence is contrasted 6y
the -'a-'o Chohans- - and their destr.cti/e intelli5ence. These are the 5ods the :ind.s and
!hristians and $aho3ed and all others of 6i5oted reli5ions and sects #orshipG and so lon5
as their infl.ence is .pon their de/otees #e #o.ld no 3ore think of associatin5 #ith or
co.nteractin5 the3 in their #ork than #e do the Red-!aps on earth #hose e/il res.lts #e try
to palliate 6.t #hose #ork #e ha/e no ri5ht to 3eddle #ith so lon5 as they do not cross our
path. E8o. #ill not .nderstand thisC I s.ppose. B.t think #ell o/er itC and yo. #ill. $ 3eans
here that they ha/e no ri5ht or e/en po#er to 5o a5ainst the nat.ral or that #ork #hich is
prescri6ed to each class of 6ein5s or eBistin5 thin5s 6y the la# of nat.re. The BrothersC for
instance. co.ld prolon5 life 6.t they co.ld not destroy death e/en for the3sel/es. They can
to a de5ree palliate e/il and relie/e s.fferin5G they co.ld not destroy e/il. @o 3ore can the
Dhyan !hohans i3pede the #ork of the $a3o !hohansC for their 1a# is dar!ness(
ignorance( destructionC etc.C as that of the for3er is 1i5htC kno#led5e and creation. The
Dhyan !hohans ans#er to Buddh - Di/ine Wisdo3 and 1ifeC in 6lissf.l kno#led5eC and the
$a-3os are the personification in nat.re of #hiaC =eho/ah and other in/ented 3onsters #ith
I5norance at their tail.FO EDo. p. "'1.F
If all this is not clear - especially #hen s.pple3ented 6y the n.3ero.s other
references that can 6e fo.nd - there is no .se of .s 3arshalin5 3ore #ords a5ainst
i3penetra6le 6rains.
@o# let .s a5ain place in contrast the teachin5s at #hich neo-theosophyC the creat.re
of Annie Besant and !.W. 1ead6eaterC arri/edI
T:47S7P:8. As the ori5in and 6asis of all reli5ionsC it cannot 6e the anta5onist of
anyG it is indeed their p.rifierC re/ealin5 the /al.a6le inner 3eanin5 of 3.ch that has 6eco3e
3ischie/o.s in its eBternal presentation 6y the per/erseness of i5norance and the accretions
of s.perstitionG 6.t it reco5niAes and defends itself in eachC and seeks in each to .n/eil its
hidden #isdo3. @o 3an in 6eco3in5 a Theosophist need cease to 6e a !hristianC a
B.ddhistC a :ind.G he #ill 6.t ac<.ire a deeper insi5ht into his o#n faith. OO EAnnie Be
BesantC Ancient 8isdomC p. %F
If he is on 9od)s side he is one of .sC and it does not 3atter in the least #hether he
calls hi3self a :ind.C or a B.ddhistC a !hristianC or a $.ha33adan... E= . >rishna3.rtiC At
the 1eet of The 'asterC p.,. F
---------------
O Parenthetical note 6y :.P.B. The so3eti3es odd 4n5lish in the passa5e #as d.e to
the Indian chela #ho #as an a5ent in trans3ittin5 this letter. Any s.ch insi5ht as 3ay 6e
ac<.ired fro3 real Theosophy #ill effecti/ely re3o/e fro3 his 3ind a6o.t 0%R of e/erythin5
that the !hristian p.6lic or ch.rch 3eans 6y !hristianity. To call hi3self a -!hristian- after
that is to 6e a hypocrite.
---------------
What is the o6;ect of reli5ions? They are 5i/en to the #orld 6y 3en #iser than the
3asses of the people on #ho3 they are 6esto#edC and are intended to <.icken h.3an
e/ol.tion ... all the types need reli5ionC so that each 3ay reach .p#ard to a life hi5her than
that #hich he is leadin5O ..... Reli5ions seek to e/ol/e the 3oral and intellect.al nat.re to
.nfold itself.OO EAnnie BesantC 5soteric ChristianityC ps. C "F
:.P. Bla/atsky had lon5 6efore placed on record a #arnin5 to and a6o.t Annie BesantC
in the follo#in5I
B.tC it is <.ite correct to say that -ha/in5 for lon5 done the #ill Ei.e.C p.t in practice the
first of the Theosophical principlesF she EA.B.F is no# 6e5innin5 to kno# the doctrine.- B.t
this doctrineC let .s hopeC #ill ne/er lead her to 3ake a5ain -her co33.nion at a !hristian
altarC- in other #ords to reno.nce the #hole and the a6sol.te for the part and finite ... This
!hristianity per se cannotC in the nat.re of thin5sC offer - neither for that 3atterC can any other
so-called reli5ion - as it no# standsG for all .nd.ly eBa55erate the personality of their
+o.ndersC !hristianity 3ore than othersC as it 3akes =es.s /ery 9od of /ery 9od and of his
6rother teachers in !hrist Eor !:RIST7SFC false prophets. We speak here of 3odern ch.rch
!hristianityC not of the 3ystic reli5ion of !hristosC the 1797SC the Western aspect of the one
reli5io.s philosophyC #hich can 6ind all 3en to5ether as 6rothers. ELucifer( *ol. I*C 1,,0C ps.
"",-0.F
A partic.larly horri6le per/ersion occ.rs in act.ally clai3in5 that a -9reat Bein5- is at
the head of e/ery reli5ionI
..... the 9.ardians of h.3anity ... fro3 ti3e to ti3eC one of the3 co3es forth into the
#orld of 3enC as a 5reat reli5io.s teacherC to carry on the task of spreadin5 a ne# for3 of the
4ternal *eritiesC a for3 s.ita6le to a ne# race or ci/iliAation. Their ranks incl.de all the
5reatest Prophets of the +aiths of the #orldC and #hile a reli5ion li/es one of these 5reat 7nes
is e/er at its headC #atchin5 o/er it as :is special char5e.OOO EAnnie Besant.F
--------------
O 7ne reaches tr.th 6y de/otion to del.sion?
OO @e/er. They paralyAe it in fa/or of a set of static 3oral acceptances.
OOO And s.per/isin5 its 3assacres?
--------------
LLThe follo#in5 are in t#o col.3ns in the ori5inal. - di5. ed.MM
The 6latant 6etrayal sho#n in the follo#in5 parallel can hardly escape anyone
ade<.ately e<.ipped #ith 3oral sense and reasonin5 po#ersI
:.P. B1A*ATS>8 A@D T:4 $A:AT$AS
...1et these .nfort.nateC del.ded !hristians kno# that the real !hrist of e/ery !hristian
is the 0achC the -3ystical *oiceC- #hile the 3an - %eshu #as 6.t a 3ortal like any of .sC and
adept 3ore 6y his inherent p.rity and i5norance of real 4/ilC than 6y #hat he had learned #ith
his Initiated Ra66is and the already Eat that periodF fast de5eneratin5 45yptian :ierophants
and priests. E'ahatma LettersC p. "".F
...neither kne# the other =ohn the Baptist ne/er ha/in5 heard of =es.s #ho is a
spirit.al a6straction and no li/in5 3an of that epoch. E'ahatma LettersC pC "1%.F
Take Pa.lC read the little of ori5inal that is left of hi3 in the #ritin5s attri6.ted to this
6ra/eC honestC sincere 3anC and see #hether any one can find a #ord therein to sho# that
Pa.l 3eant 6y the #ord !hrist anythin5 3ore than the a6stract ideal of the personal di/inity
ind#ellin5 in 3an. +or Pa.lC !hrist is not a person 6.t an e36odied idea. -If any 3an is in
!hrist he is a ne# creationC- he is re6ornC as after initiationC for the 1ord is spirit - the spirit of
3an. Pa.l #as the only one of the apostles #ho had .nderstood the secret ideas .nderlyin5
the teachin5 of =es.sC altho.5h he had ne/er 3et hi3. B.t Pa.l had 6een initiated hi3selfG
andC 6ent .pon ina.5.ratin5 a ne# and 6road refor3C one e36racin5 the #hole of h.3anityC
he sincerely set his o#n doctrines far a6o/e the #isdo3 of the a5esC a6o/e the ancient
$ysteries and final re/elation to the epoptae. As Professor A. Wilder #ell pro/es in a series
of a6le articlesC it ,as not %esus but /aul ,ho ,as the real founder of Christianity"
- )sis 2neiledC p. %(".
Do they affir3 that =es.s 5a/e hi3self as a /ol.ntary sacrifice? 7n the contrary there
is not a #ord to s.stain the idea. They 3ake it clear that he #o.ld rather ha/e li/ed to
contin.e #hat he considered his 3issionC and that he died 6eca.se he co.ld not help itC and
only #hen 6etrayed ... WhenC finallyC he sa# that his ti3e had co3eC he s.cc.36ed to the
ine/ita6le. B.t see hi3 in the 5ardenC on the $o.nt of 7li/esC #rithin5 in a5ony .ntil -his
s#eat #asC as it #ereC 5reat drops of 6loodC- prayin5 #ith fer/id s.pplication that the c.p
3i5ht 6e re3o/ed fro3 hi3G eBha.sted 6y his str.55les to s.ch a de5ree that an an5el fro3
hea/en had to co3e and stren5then hi3G and say if the pict.re is that of a self-i33olatin5
hosta5e and 3artyr. - )"2. IIC p. %"%.
If #e do not accept =es.s as 9odC #e re/ere hi3 as a 3an. S.ch a feelin5 honors hi3
3ore than if #e #ere to attri6.te to hi3 the po#ers and personality of the S.pre3eC and
credit hi3 at the sa3e ti3e #ith ha/in5 played a .seless co3edy #ith 3ankindC asC after allC
his 3ission pro/es scarcely less than a co3plete fail.reG 2C222 years ha/e passedC and
!hristians do not reckon one-fifth of the pop.lation of the 5lo6eC nor is !hristianity likely to
pro5ress any 6etter in the f.t.re. - )"2. IIC p. %2
------------------
A@@I4 B4SA@T A@D !.W. 14ADB4AT4R
A5ainC in these researches into the re3ote past #e ha/e fre<.ently fo.nd the disciple
=es.sC #ho in Palestine had the pri/ile5e of yieldin5 .p :is 6ody to the !hrist. As a res.lt of
that act :e recei/ed the incarnation of Apolloni.s of Tyana ...the one #ho #as once the
disciple =es.s stands ready especially to 5.ide the /ario.s acti/ities of the !hristian
!h.rches. - !.W. 1ead6eaterC The )nner LifeC ps. 10 and 22.
I 6elie/e #ith 3any of the early !hristiansC that the World TeacherC na3ed 6y the3 the
!hristC ass.3ed at the sta5e of the 9ospel story called the Baptis3C the 6ody of a discipleC
=es.sC to carry on his earthly #ork at that ti3e. - Annie BesantC inter/ie#ed =an. 1C 102'C 6y
the Associated Press of India.
The historical !hristC thenC is a 5lorio.s Bein5 6elon5in5 to the 5reat spirit.al hierarchy
that 5.ides the spirit.al e/ol.tion of h.3anityC #ho .sed for so3e three years the h.3an
6ody of the disciple =es.s ... That $i5hty 7ne #ho had .sed the 6ody of =es.s as :is /ehicle
and #hose 5.ardian care eBtends o/er the #hole spirit.al e/ol.tion of the fifth race of
h.3anity 5a/e into the stron5 hands of the holy disciple #ho had s.rrendered to :i3 his 6ody
the care of the infant !h.rch. Perfectin5 his h.3an e/ol.tion =es.s 6eca3e one of the
$asters of Wisdo3C and took !hristianity .nder :is char5eC e/er seekin5 to 5.ide it to the
ri5ht linesC to protectC to 5.ard and no.rish it. - Annie BesantC 5soteric ChristianityC ps. 1"2-
1"2.
We ha/e seen ho# the 3an =es.sC the :e6re# discipleC laid do#n his 6ody in 5lad
s.rrender that a hi5her 1ife 3i5ht descend and 6eco3e e36odied in the for3 he th.s #illin5ly
sacrificed and ho# 6y that act he 6eca3e a !hrist of f.ll stat.re to 6e the 9.ardian of
!hristianity ... tri.3phin5 o/er death. - Annie BesantC 5soteric ChristianityC p. 21(.
-1et .s pray.
9.ide .sC 7 al3i5hty +atherC in all o.r doin5sC and fro3 Thy hea/enly throne send
do#n Thy holy An5el to 6e #ith Thy people #ho ha/e 3et to5ether to ser/e and to #orship
Thee thro.5h !hrist o.r 1ord.
The phrase -1et .s pray- is a si5nal 5i/en 6y the cele6rant to the people #hen he is
a6o.t to say a prayerC and it is therefore ti3e for the3 to kneel ... for a considera6le ti3e
there #as no #ritten lit.r5yC and each cele6rant filled in eBte3poraneo.sly the o.tline of the
cere3ony as 5i/en 6y the !hrist.
That !hrist did 5i/e s.ch an o.tline is certain fro3 clair/oyant in/esti5ation.
- !.W. 1ead6eaterC #cience of the #acramentsC p. "(1
No. I@. Te <o(s o> te /#%" Doo'
A lar5e proportion of 3ankind is .na6le to face life #itho.t the sense of so3e
protectin5C .nseen Po#erG and the presence of /isi6le a5ents of s.ch a po#er see3s as
necessary to it as the po#er itself. There is a .ni/ersal #eakness of this kind. If a
crystalliAed for3 of it is 6roken .pC so3e s.6stit.te is fo.ndC s.ch as the #orship of :itler Eor
-9er3ania-F in the days of 9er3any)s 3adnessC of Stalin in R.ssiaG or of so3e -syste3C-
econo3ic or political. It is clearlyC in one senseC a pro;ection or contin.ation of the
dependence of the infant. When too o6/io.s a personal afflictionC it is reco5niAed as
patholo5icalC a case of -arrested adolescence.- Its 3anifestation in the reli5io.s channel is
too .ni/ersal to 6e re5arded as patholo5icalG the patholo5ists the3sel/es 6ein5 afflicted #ith
itC or too inte5rated #ith their society to see it as an a6nor3ality. B.t it is only necessary to
st.dy it i3partially in its social and historical aspect to see that it is patholo5icalC ne/ertheless.
It de3onstra6ly prod.ces the 3ost fantastic hall.cinations and the 3ost horri6le tra5ediesC as
any st.dy of reli5ion #ill sho#G and it res.lts in 5rotes<.e #arpin5 of the rational fac.lties.
We noteC for instanceC a title on the co/er of one of the -confession- 3a5aAinesI -I >ne# 9od
Wo.ldn)t 1et $e Do#n.- @o do.6t so3e poor #retch in tro.6le prayedC and fo.nd hi3self or
herself relie/ed of a predica3ent. +ar 3ore poor #retches ha/e failed to 6e relie/ed of their
predica3ents 6y prayer than other#iseG as 3any e/il #retches ha/e prospered #itho.t
prayer as other#ise. There is no fact any#here that sho#s a 3an or a race to 6e 6etter off
#ith so3e partic.lar 9od than #ith so3e otherG that prayers are e/er ans#ered eBcept in the
statistical proportions of chance. Daily e/entsC in 3ass and 6y the indi/id.alC pro/e this as
thoro.5hly as anythin5 can 6e pro/en. 8et 3en clin5 to the ideaC and cannot li/e #itho.t it.
In reality it is the per/ersion of spirit.al fact thro.5h the a5ency of a 3aterial /ehicle. If
3an act.ally #ere #hat the atheist considers hi3C a poor piece of flesh 5o/erned 6y 6lind
3echanical la#sC his eBistence at e/ery 3o3ent dependentC not on any self-protecti/e inner
po#erC or any 6ene/olent o/erhead po#erC or on 3erits of his o#nC then e/ery 3an sho.ld
ha/e the 6est of reasons to 6e scared all the days of his lifeG for e/erythin5 he holds dear
#o.ld 6e s.6;ect to destr.ction at any 3o3ent 6y forces o/er #hich he has no control and
cannot anticipate. +e# 3en can face a #orld so orderedC or disorderedG hence to co3fort
the3sel/es they h.5 these creeds to the3sel/es. When the 6eliefs are threatenedC they 3ay
5o literally 3adC and en5a5e in the 3ost horri6le atrocities a5ainst those #ho see3 to
threaten the3. The #orld is like that si3ply 6eca.se the lo#er selfC a reflection of the :i5her
in a case3ent of fleshC has for5otten its o#n nat.re. The real Self of 3an is not only self-
eBistentC i33ortalC not to 6e destroyed 6y anythin5 that 3ay co3e to passG 6.t the /ery
co.rse of its passa5e thro.5h the re5ions of 3atter is decreed acc.rately 6y its o#n deedsG
th.s 3an has nothin5 to fear 6.t hi3self. The lo#er reflection has lost its contact and thinks
itself all alone and helpless for that reasonC not kno#in5 that 6y ri5ht action and tho.5ht the
ti3e of darkness that acco3panies each incarnation passes a#ay and it is once 3ore 7ne
#ith its Pri3aryG at the end of the co.rse to 6e lonely no 3oreC for this 7ne is the Self of all.
This tra5ic dependence is the one 5reat 6ar to this realiAationG .ntil it is thro#n offC the
#retched self #ill contin.e in tre36lin5 darknessC co3fortin5 itself #ith 3yths e/er threatened
6y 6itter tr.th and daily eBperience. S3all #onder that 3any 3en ha/e chosen to thro# off all
notion of a spirit.al orderC e36racin5 3ortality and per3anent death as the real nat.re of
thin5sC and so fo.nd for the3sel/es a kind of so36er and so.lless peace? Dependent reli5ion
is a kind of dr.5G so indispensa6le to its creat.res as to ha/e ac<.ired the stat.s of holiness.
:o# can any 3an 6e c.red of a dr.5 ha6itC so lon5 as it represents to hi3 the hi5hest 5oodC
e/en tho.5h the si5ns of its destr.cti/e nat.re s#ar3 all aro.nd hi3?
Theosophy ca3e #ith the 3essa5e of indi/id.al independence and social
interdependence a3on5 i33ortal peers on a co33on ;o.rney. It 6ro.5ht #ith it inn.3era6le
e/idences that its teachin5s #ere facts in nat.reG inn.3era6le e/idences that it #as the
pri3ary and ori5inal for3 of all the reli5ions. What pre/ented its acceptance? +irst of allC the
shock to preconcei/ed ideasC idees fi6esC deeply rooted irrational co3pleBes ac<.ired in
childhood and i3possi6le to re3o/e sa/e 6y 5reat 3ental effort and e3otional sacrificeG
secondlyC to or5aniAed oppositionC 3isrepresentationC den.nciation 6y those /ast /ested
interests #ith a profit in the thin5. The tr.th re3o/es the special presti5e and pri/ile5es of all
priesthoods the 3o3ent it is accepted.
Theosophy appealed to 3inds e/ol/ed so3e#hat 6eyond this. B.t it took in the #hole
transition sta5e fro3 the do53atic creeds to f.ll e3ancipationG hence it e36raced a certain
strat.3 of intellect #hich accepted so3e of the ne# 6.t co.ld not 5i/e .p the old entirely.
This sit.ation ;oined hands #ith t#o other forcesI fail.res in Theosophy itselfC #hoC follo#ed
the nor3al and ine/ita6le co.rse of a 3onstro.s and rapid e/ol.tion of personal a36itionC
prideC and /anityG and those other sinister forces apt at playin5 on these <.alitiesC and intent
.pon sidetrackin5C conf.sin5C and corr.ptin5 the #ork of Theosophy 6ack into the old
channels of anthropo3orphic reli5ion. The spirit and 3od.l.s of the corr.ption is s.33ed .p
in the follo#in5I
We ha/e in the 1o5os of o.r solar syste3 as near an approach to a personal Eor ratherC
perhapsC indi/id.alF 9od as any reasona6le 3an can desireC for of :i3 is tr.e e/erythin5
5ood that has e/er 6een predicated of a personal deity. We cannot ascri6e to :i3 partialityC
in;.sticeC ;ealo.syC cr.eltyG those #ho desire these attri6.tes in their deity 3.st 5o else#here.
B.t as far as :is syste3 is concerned :e possesses o3niscienceC o3nipresenceC
o3nipotenceG the lo/eC the po#erC the #isdo3C the 5loryC all are there in f.llest 3eas.re. 8et
:e is a 3i5hty indi/id.al - a trinity in .nityC and 9od in /ery tr.thC tho.5h re3o/ed 6y #e kno#
not ho# 3any sta5es fro3 the A6sol.teC the .nkno#a6leC 6efore #hich e/en solar syste3s
are 6.t as specks of cos3ic cr.st. The s.n is :is chief 3anifestation on the physical planeC
and that 3ay help .s a little to realise so3e of :is <.alitiesC and to see ho# e/erythin5 co3es
fro3 :i3 ... I 3yself #ho speak to yo. ha/e once seen :i3 in a for3 #hich is not the for3 of
:is syste3. This is so3ethin5 #hich .tterly transcends all ordinary eBperience #hich has
nothin5 to do #ith any of the lo#er planes. The thin5 6eca3e possi6le for 3e only thro.5h a
/ery darin5 eBperi3ent - the .tter 6lendin5 for a 3o3ent of t#o distinct rays or typesC so that
6y 3eans of this 6lendin5 a le/el co.ld for a 3o3ent 6e to.ched enor3o.sly hi5her than any
to #hich either of the e5os concerned co.ld ha/e attained alone.O :e eBists far a6o/e :is
syste3G he sits .pon it as on a lot.s throne. :e is as it #ere the apotheosis of h.3anityC yet
infinitely 5reater than h.3anity. E!.W. 1ead6eaterC The )nner LifeC IC ps. 1"-"'.F
:ere #e ha/e the perfect s.6/ersionC the perfect trap for dependent 3inds. :ere #as
so3e philosophy of a 3ore enli5htened kind than the .naccepta6le do53as of the traditional
ch.rchesG and co.pled #ith it a ne# kind of personal 5odC 3ore inti3ateC 3ore reasona6le to
the #orshiper than the traditional 5od. $oreo/erC the panderin5 to dependence co3pletes
itself #ith the 3ost satisfyin5 co3fort of allI a /isi6le a5ent or prophet #ho had act.ally seen
9od hi3self. That there is no s.ch 6ein5C and that the #ord -1o5os- has no proper 3eanin5
other than collecti/e life at a certain sta5e of 3anifestationC 3eant nothin5 to those #ho #ere
either i5norant entirely of the real teachin5C or thro.5h the conspiracies a5ainst :.P.
Bla/atsky)s #orksC had re;ected it. The transparent and arro5ant pride and /anity inherent in
1ead6eater)s 6oast of this /isionC 3eant nothin5 to people #hose o#n nat.re seethed #ith the
sa3e <.alitiesG for of all h.3an /icesC these are 3ost pro3oted 6y the typical neo-
theosophical psycholo5y.
9i/en this 6asic 3od.l.sC the #ork of neo-theosophy rapidly co3pleted itself #ith s.ch
#orks as #cience of the #acramentsC in #hich 6y /ery cle/er and co3pletely 3aterialistic
fa6ricated eBplanationsC the #hole str.ct.re of Ro3an !atholic cere3onial and a.thority #as
;.stified in detailG and 'an( 8hence( +o,( and 8hither( the 3ost i3posin5 appeal to pride
and sno66ery #e ha/e e/er enco.nteredG in it the s.pposed past li/es and heroic deeds of
all the pro3inent fi5.res in the Society #ere set forth. It #as a sort of -Who)s Who?- in the
Society. The only parallel #e can think of is the portrait painter of the elite #ho cle/erly
flatters the /anity of his patron Eso3eti3es 6y re/en5e incorporatin5 horri6le satires in his
#ork <.ite in/isi6le to the /icti3 thereofF or the prostit.te 6io5rapher #ho earns his keep 6y
doin5 the sa3e thin5 in print.
--------------
O The e5oes of those 3odest #orkers in the fieldC !.W. 1ead6eater and Annie Besant.
--------------
The only f.rther thin5 needed #as the /icario.s atone3ent and re3ission of sins.
@eo-theosophy e/en arri/ed at that? 1ead6eater ta.5ht that the kar3a of an indi/id.al is a
kind of field of force aro.nd hi3 E;.st a6o.t tr.e eno.5h to see3 pla.si6leF and that 6ad
kar3a consists of -#arps- or distortions in that field. EAlso tr.e eno.5h to 6e pla.si6leF. B.t
1ead6eater)s piece de resistance consisted in the teachin5 that a properly <.alified and
ordained priest co.ld strai5hten o.t these #arps and relie/e the /icti3. EThis recei/ed so3e
/ery satirical attention at the ti3e in the A.stralian ins.r5ent 3a5aAine &a,nC .nder the
appropriate na3e of -&inc#hacker)s Sin-T#ister-.F 7f co.rse the fetchin5 parallel #ith the
!hristian sche3e co.ld not 6e co3plete #itho.t a typical 3essianic hysteria to attract and
daAAle the .nthinkin5C and this ca3e alon5 in d.e ti3e in the for3 of the i33inent ad/ent of
the -1ord $aitreya-C #ho #as s.pposed to 3anifest hi3self in the 6ody of the .nfort.nate
=idd. >rishna3.rti. EThere still see3 to 6e so3e infants #ho think >rishna3.rti is still 5oin5
to do so3ethin5 of that kindG the 5entle3an hi3self decidedly disa5rees.OF Pro6a6ly the
spirit of this craAe is 6est eBe3plified in Annie Besant)s speech at 733enC A.5.st 11C 102%.
ESee The +istory of The Theosophical 'oementC 10%1C p. 202.F
... And no# I ha/e to 5i/e yo.C 6y co33and of the >in5 ... :is 3essa5eC and so3e of
the 3essa5es of the 1ord $aitreya and :is 5reat Brothers ... #hat I a3 sayin5C as to 3atter of
anno.nce3entC is definitely at the co33and of the >in5 #ho3 I ser/e ...
:is takin5 possession of :is chosen /ehicle ... #ill 6e soon. Then :e #ill chooseC as
6eforeC :is t#el/e apostles ... and their chiefC the 1ord :i3self. :e has already chosen the3C
6.t I ha/e only the co33and to 3ention se/en #ho ha/e reached the sta5e of arhatship ...
Who #ere the -Arhats-?
The first t#oC 3y 6rother !harles 1ead6eater and 3yself ... !. =inara;adasaC ... 9eor5e
Ar.ndale ... 7scar >ollerstro3C ... and R.k3ini Ar.ndale ...
I left o.t one and 3.st lea/e o.t another. @at.rallyC o.r >rishna;i #as oneC 6.t he is to
6e the /ehicle of the 1ord. And the other is one #ho is /ery dear to all of .sC as to the #hole
BrotherhoodI Bishop Wed5#ood. :e had 6orne his cr.cifiBion 6efore the seal of Arhatship
#as set .pon hi3 6y his >in5 ...
----------------
O The mystic $aitreya co3es in the Se/enth RaceC 3illions of years hence. The
historical $aitreya #as a follo#er of B.ddha and the +o.nder of an esoteric schoolC tho.5h
not a direct disciple of B.ddha. :ere #e ha/e in neo-theosophy an a3aAin5 parallel to the
ele/ation of =es.sC an o6sc.re AdeptC to the stat.s of the Son of 9odC 6y conf.sin5 hi3 #ith a
di/ine i3personal principle in 3an hi3self. This for3.la for 3yth-3akin5 see3s as relia6le
as it is ancient.
----------------
These are the first se/en of the t#el/e #ho3 :e has chosenC #ith :i3self as the
thirteenth. -8e call 3e $aster and 1ordC and ye do #ellC for so I a3- ....
@o# the #onder 3ay co3e into yo.r 3indI :.P.B. #as the only one #ho #as really
anno.nced as the 3essen5er of the $aster. Since then the #orld has 5ro#n a 5ood dealC
and it is possi6le that #hile the fe# 3ay 6e repelledC 3any tho.sands #ill 6e attracted to the
!hrist.... Whate/er the effectC since :e has said itC it is done .....
The only likeness to this sort of farra5o that one can find in the 3odern scene is the
hysteria of a typical old-ti3e reli5io.s re/i/alG and e/en this is no# a6o.t la.5hed off the
6oards eBcept in eBtre3e 6ack#oods areas.
We ha/e contended 3any ti3es that so3ethin5 a6nor3al and disastro.s had
happened to the 3entalities of those responsi6le for all this. The case of Annie Besant is
especially strikin5. At the ti3e of her enco.nter #ith TheosophyC she #as an a5nosticC a
stron5-#illed and co.ra5eo.s social refor3er of keen intellect and a lar5e follo#in5C #ho #as
listened to #ith respect if not a5ree3ent 6y 3any intelli5ent and independent 3inds. She
carried these <.alities into TheosophyC and for a considera6le ti3e her 6rillianceC
earnestnessC and elo<.enceC #ere 3a;or assets of the $o/e3ent. 8et 6y 102% she had
co3e to this?? What happened to her? We ha/e pointed o.t the si5ns of 3ental dislocation
that attended her cond.ctC and that of so3e othersC in the -=.d5e !aseG- E1,0-0'F and #e
ha/e pointed o.t that it follo#ed her hypnosis 6y 9.@. !hakra/artiC a Brah3in a5ent. She
then ca3e .nder the infl.ence of 1ead6eaterC an eB-c.rate of the !h.rch of 4n5landC and her
3ental state #ent steadily fro3 6ad to #orse in the follo#in5 years. St.dy of the stran5e
psychic /icissit.des of the 3o/e3ent o/er 3any yearsC #ith so3e 3anifestations .p to the
present ti3eC ha/e con/inced .s that once 3ental control is lost to eBternal infl.enceC #hether
6y hypnosisC de/elop3ent of 3edi.3is3 Ethese are essentially the sa3e pheno3enonF or
telepathic i3pact on an insec.rely seated $anasC per3anent 6rain in;.ry res.lts.
Psycholo5ists of the f.t.re #ill learn to reco5niAe a typical syndro3e.
Since she had 6eco3e the head and center of attention of the SocietyC /irt.ally #ith
1ead6eaterC the a5ent of -9od on earthC- the 3ental de/elop3ent of the Society itself follo#ed
the sa3e co.rse. D.rin5 the years of $essianis3 and other craAesC there #ere periodic o.t
r.shes fro3 the Society of its 6est 3inds. 4ach ti3e s.ch people <.itC the field #as left 3ore
open for the 6ef.ddledC the i5norantC and the .nthinkin5G a thoro.5hly /icio.s cycle.
In co.rse of ti3e a ne# kind of reaction set inG a certain n.36er of disill.sioned
3e36ersC instead of ;.st <.ittin5C elected to try to fi5ht it o.t. This spirit is represented 6y
/ario.s ins.r5ent 5ro.ps and indi/id.alsC chief a3on5 the3 the !anadian Section of the
Society. A 5eneral tendency to#ard a#akenin5 eBpressed itself in a re3ark 6y 9eor5e
Ar.ndaleC then President of the SocietyC #ho 6e5an a rest.dy of the #ecret &octrine in 10%".
Speakin5 of a certain resi5ned 3e36erC he saidI
What she eBpected #as a serio.s st.dy of Theosophy... and then st.dy-classes to 5ain
a 3ore or less co3prehensi/e 5rasp of o.r science. She said she fo.nd the sylla6.s f.ll of
addresses on Astrolo5yC +inancial Sche3esC IndiaC Archaeolo5yC and so forth - all interestin5C
6.t for the 3ost part dealt #ith 3ore a6ly 6y 6odies specialiAin5 in s.ch s.6;ects. What she
#anted #as TheosophyC and a pro5ressi/e co.rse in it. +or #hat other reasonC she askedC
#o.ld she ;oin the Theosophical Society?... I 3.st ad3it I #as inclined to a5ree #ith herG and
I #onder ho# far she represents the a/era5e en<.irer and o.r fail.re to offer hi3 that for
#hich he co3es. EThe Theosophical 'oementC 10%1C p. 20%F
$r. Ar.ndale only s.spectedC he did not really kno#C the enor3o.s da3a5e done to
the Society and to the na3e of TheosophyG he #o.ld other#ise ha/e 6een 3.ch 3ore
e3phatic. The craAes of neo-theosophy took the #hole lid offG e/ery crankC psychicC and
hall.cinate follo#ed the eBa3ple and felt hi3self or herself free to create neo-neo-
theosophies of his o#n. The 3e36ership appeared to 6e a6le no lon5er to discri3inate
6et#een a plain honest TheosophistC a l.naticC or an o.tri5ht crook seekin5 to eBploit the #ork
for personal 5ain. Th.s #e ha/e co3e to an era of Theosophy conf.sed and f.tile in the face
of pressin5 perilsC reli5io.sC politicalC and national.
@o# none of this co.ld ha/e happened had the 3e36ers cl.n5 to the .nco3pro3isin5
teachin5s of :.P.B.C concernin5 reli5ionC #hich #ere f.lly /indicated 6y the p.6lication of The
'ahatma Letters. These teachin5s #ere co3pletely s.6/ertedC and the 3anner and eBtent of
the s.6/ersion indicated nothin5 less than a conspiracyC lo5ically proceedin5 after the
eli3ination of =.d5eC :.P.B.)s last stron5 defender. Aro.nd 1012C 1ead6eater p.6lished a list
of reco33ended Theosophical 6ooks s.ita6leC 9od sa/e the 3arkC for an ed.cation in
-strai5ht- Theosophy. All 6.t one of these 6ooks #ere the #orks of Annie Besant and !.W.
1ead6eater. We ha/e at hand t#o 6ook lists fro3 early p.6licationsG in the3C only one #ork
6y :.P.B. is 3entioned. And that #ork is The 0oice of The #ilence. @ot only is it #ritten on
s.ch a 3ystic plane that the .nderstandin5 is in the 3ind of the reader entirelyC 6.t of all that
:.P.B. #roteC it co.ld 6e said to 6e least -hers.- It is a translation. The i3plication irresisti6le
to .s is thatC 6ein5 afraid to do a#ay #ith the na3e of :.P.B. o.tri5htC 6eca.se of so3e faint
resid.e of loyalty to the ori5inal #ork re3ainin5 in the T.S.C these sche3ers picked o.t the
one relic of hers that #o.ld do their 3onstrosity the least har3.
There is c.rrent an e/en #orse for3 of s.6/ersion. It consists in 3iBed referencesC or
associations of the na3e and #ords of :.P.B. #ith those of the neo-theosophical prophetsC in
s.ch 3anner as to 3ake her see3 to endorse the3. -If yo. can)t lick )e3C ;ine )e3- - as the
leech ;oins the .n#ary #ader in the pond.
Ar.ndale #as follo#ed 6y !. =inara;adasaC the first yo.thf.l follo#er of 1ead6eaterC his
lifelon5 de/otee and at the ti3e of his recent deathC the 3ost po#erf.l ad/ocate of neo-
theosophy s.r/i/in5. Accordin5 to his o#n eBpress #ordsC his psycholo5yC his nat.ral
affinitiesC and his ad3irationsC place hi3 as si3ply a Ro3an !atholic priest 6y nat.re.
=inara;adasa #as follo#ed 6y Ra3C an e<.ally sta.nch neo-theosophistC and head of
the 4soteric Section #hich controls the politics of the Adyar head<.arters. An atte3pt #as
3ade to r.n 4rnest Wood a5ainst hi3G 6.t o#in5 to the pec.liar Adyar set.p re5ardin5
no3inationsC Wood ne/er had a chance to 6e /oted on. Society 3e36ers are still #ran5lin5
o/er this. Anyone #ho kno#s 3.ch a6o.t esoteric sections kno#s that if the freedo3 of an
association is to 6e preser/edC esoteric officers 3.st 6e as ri5idly 6arred fro3 eBoteric offices
as the ch.rches are 6arred - s.pposedly - fro3 interference #ith the politics of the Hnited
States.
That Adyar head<.arters and the esoteric section can e/er 6e resc.ed fro3 the 5rip of
those dark forces of anthropo3orphic reli5ion so a6ly descri6ed in The $ahat3a 1ettersC
see3s i3possi6le. This sort of faith is not fo.nded on fact or reasonC 6.t .pon those deep
s.6conscio.s forces and i3p.lses #hich still 6affle psycholo5istsC this aspect of the Society
see3s ineBora6ly headed - .nless it dies fro3 p.6lic ridic.le - for a stat.s of cent.ries as the
s.ccessor of the !atholic !h.rch. That it #illC if it s.r/i/esC 6e a for3ida6le opponent to the
neBt A5ent of the $ahat3asC is certainC since it represents the antithesis of their teachin5s.

No. @. Ps;%$% Penomen# #n( Neo-TeosoA;
To do ;.sticeC t#o po#erf.l forces in the constr.ction and s.pport of neo-theosophical
teachin5s sho.ld not 6e o/erlooked. They ser/e in so3e 3eas.re to a3eliorate the
i3p.tation of do#nri5ht s.perstition and cred.lity that arises fro3 these teachin5s on their
face /al.eG tho.5h they certainly do not sho# deep .nderstandin5 of the pro6le3s of the
occ.lt #orld either. 7ne of these is the eBperience of psychic pheno3ena in connection #ith
the SocietyG the otherC the sole3n testi3ony thereto of people hardly s.6;ect to s.spicion as
to their personal honestyG a3on5 the latterC Annie Besant herselfC and !ol. :.S. 7lcott. The
#riter has noted else#here in this iss.eC eBperience #ith psychic pheno3ena in one <.arter
of the $o/e3ent. Perhaps it is not 5oin5 too far to say that he has 3et #ith the3 in t#o other
areas as #ell. B.t all three or5aniAations #ere 3.t.ally and .naltera6ly opposed to each
other. The place of psychic pheno3ena in the $o/e3ent #as first esta6lished 6y the po#ers
of :.P.B. herselfC and the $astersC and ac<.ired there6yC in spite of #arnin5sC a 5reat a.ra of
a.thenticity. Al3ost a.to3aticallyC the ass.3ption is 3ade that a 5en.ine psychic
pheno3enon in the na3e of Theosophy is proof of a.thentic contact #ith the $asters
the3sel/esC or of adept po#ers on the part of the /isi6le a5ency. B.t a 3.ch repeated
teachin5 #as that the prod.cer of a pheno3enon 3ay 6e either a 3edi.3 or an adeptG and
that e/il and anta5onistic forces can prod.ce the3 as easily as the po#ers of the Ri5ht :and.
It #as f.rther said - 6y that despisedC o/erlooked 3anC =.d5e - that any force released 6y a
#hite adept in the prod.ction of psychic pheno3ena releases an e<.al a3o.nt of force
accessi6le to the a5ents of the -6lack lod5e-. EThis so.nds like a /ery 3ysterio.s state3entC
6.t is not in reality.F The pheno3ena of :.P.B. #ere c.t short co3pletely and entirely at a
certain point 6y order of her s.periorsC #ho said that thereafter the Society 3.st prosper on
philosophy and 3oral #orth alone. B.t pheno3ena 6y others and eBperienced 6y othersC
contin.ed apaceG and so3e of the3 .p to no#. This appears to .s to 6e the necessary
conse<.ence of the principle stated 6y =.d5eG for #hich #e proposeC in accordance #ith
scientific .sa5eC and 6eca.se of its special i3portance for no# and 10(%C the na3e -=.d5e)s
1a#-. We do not ar5.e that all pheno3ena takin5 place in later years are necessarily fro3
the #ron5 so.rceG 6.t #e do clai3 that #hen pheno3ena occ.r in three 3.t.ally hostile
5ro.psC tendin5 to stren5then the presti5e of eachC they are not all fro3 one so.rceG and if
not fro3 one so.rceC so3e are certainly fro3 e/il so.rces. Which is #hichC 3.st 6e ;.d5ed
6y their settin5 and entire conteBt in the li5ht of Theosophical philosophical principles in
the3sel/es.
The /o5.e of .ccult Chemistry #as 3.ch sti3.lated 6y apparently circ.3stantial
s.rro.ndin5 conditionsC s.ch as the testi3ony of #itnesses that Annie BesantC #hile
separated fro3 1ead6eaterC de/eloped the sa3e kinds of /isions of the -ato3-. AlsoC the
enor3o.s and intricate details descri6ed in it are i3pressi/e - at first si5htC e/en to a lo5ical
3ind. In the days 6efore 3odern scientific kno#led5e aroseC it i3pressed e/en scientific
3inds. We ha/e here a real pheno3enon of a different and hi5her order - and a /ery sinister
one. It is tr.e that .ccult ChemistryC 6y o/er#hel3in5 e/idenceC took off fro3 the
spec.lations of Ba66itt. B.t the detailed de/elop3ent thereof as sho#n in the 6ook took
so3ethin5 /ery like 5eni.s. Its place in the destr.cti/e acti/ities of neo-theosophyC ho#e/erC
hardly indicate that it #as a 6ene/olent 5eni.s. Whose 5eni.s? We do.6t that it #as
1ead6eater)s. It is <.ite possi6le that he sa# these /isions. :e 3ay also ha/e seen the
ridic.lo.sC yet in a foolish #ay pla.si6leC /isions .pon #hich 'an #as 6ased. :e does not
i3press .s as 6ein5C in propria personaC and left to hi3selfC as a 5eni.sC or e/en a /ery
intelli5ent indi/id.al. B.t he does look like an eBcellent medium - reinforced 6y his lon5
career of da66lin5 in spirit.alis3 6efore he 3et #ith Theosophy. @o# a 3edi.3 is the a5ent
for so3ethin5 .nseen. If the 3edi.3is3 de/elops so3ethin5 e/il and anti -theosophical -
and in this connection his teachin5 of seB.al per/ersion to 6oysC to #hich he confessed and
#hich 5a/e a 6ody-6lo# to the $o/e3entC sho.ld not 6e for5otten - then one has a ri5ht to
s.spect that no ordinary ele3ental is 6ehind itC 6.t so3ethin5 3.ch 3ore intelli5ent and
potent. 7nce s.ch a force is ad3ittedC and its intr.sion seen as 3ade kar3ically possi6le 6y
the 5ross faithlessness to pled5ed o6li5ationsC and the 5rosser in;.stice to#ard a faithf.l
#orker in the =.d5e !ase - then this aspect of neo-theosophy holds no 3ystery. 4/en today
#e recei/e reactions fro3 neo-theosophists indicatin5 the possi6ility that their 3inds ha/e
6eco3e en3eshed in so3e psychic 5la3or so con/incin5 as to take precedence o/er factC
reasonC and co33on sense.
A point of 3.ch interest concerns the fa3o.s -Adyar $anifestations- of 102(C #hich
prod.ced a f.rther split in the Society. It #as attested 6y 7lcottC and t#o other #itnessesC that
the $asters appeared to hi3 and i3parted certain 3essa5es. This #as re;ected 6y se/eral
pro3inent 3e36ersC incl.din5 A.P. Sinnett and 1ead6eater hi3selfG the latterC apparently
6eca.se it confir3ed his 5.ilt in the per/ersion case and endorsed his resi5nation thereo/er.
We ha/e at hand the teBt of 7lcott)s state3ents in connection #ith the case. The
correspondent #ho f.rnishes the3 states that he cannot 6elie/e 7lcott 5.ilty of deli6erate
fra.d in the 3atterC and that these doc.3ents are hard to i5nore. 7lcott)s state3ents are as
follo#sC to #hich #e add so3e footnotesI
Pro6a6ly on acco.nt of the possi6ility of 3y life closin5 at any ti3eC the t#o $ahat3as
#ho are kno#n to 6e 6ehind the Theosophical $o/e3entC and the personal Instr.ctors of
:.P.B. and 3yselfC ha/e /isited 3e se/eral ti3es lately Ein the presence of #itnessesC 6ein5
plainly /isi6leC a.di6le and tan5i6le to allFC #ith the o6;ect of 5i/in5 3e so3e final instr.ctions
a6o.t thin5s that They #ished 3e to doC #hile I a3 still in 3y physical 6ody. It 3ay 6e that
3y >ar3a #ill allo# 3e se/eral years of life stillC 6.t the critical state of 3y health 3akes it
i3perati/e that I arran5e certain 3atters no#.
It is nat.ral eno.5hC since I ha/e 6een #orkin5 .nder the 5.idance of the $ahat3as
d.rin5 the last thirty-one yearsC that They and I sho.ld ha/e so3e last #ords to5etherG #ords
of co.nsel on the part of the Teachers in reference to Theosophical 3attersC and of h.36le
endea/o.r to carry o.t Their #illC on the part of the p.pilG -+or the ni5ht co3eth #hen no 3an
can #ork.- +ort.nately this refers to the physical 6ody onlyC for as re5ards #ork in the other
6odiesC there is no -ni5htC- 6.t only the earnest endea/o.r that 3.st 6e concentrated in the
#orkC no 3atter in #hat 6ody #e 3ay 6e f.nctionin5 at the ti3e.
The inter/ie# #hich I a3 a6o.t to descri6e had for its o6;ect the co.rse I sho.ld
p.rs.e in the present crisisC 6ro.5ht a6o.t 6y the clo.d restin5 .pon one of o.r 3ost
respected 3e36ersC and indeed one #ho had 5i/en faithf.l ser/ice to the Society for 3any
yearsG 6.t #hoC it has recently 6een disco/eredC has 6een 5i/in5 o.t teachin5s of #hich #e
co.ld not appro/e.
So3e of the 3e36ers of the Society ha/e for3ed the3sel/es into t#o 5ro.ps. The
oneC #ith an eBa55erated 3oral senseG 6elie/es that the Teachers of 3ankind cannot e3ploy
a5ents that are not a6o/e the #eaknesses of the physical 6odyC and contact #ith #ho3 #o.ld
6e s.pposed to 3orally taint The3.
The other party E#hoC if #e 3ake a caref.l st.dy of historyC 3.st 6e re5arded as
ha/in5 so3e kno#led5e and co33on sense on their sideF considers that these in/isi6le
TeachersC in order to reach the 3asses and especially to penetrate to the /ery depths of
h.3an societyC are forced to e3ploy a5ents or 3essen5ersC #ho possess 3any of the failin5s
of 3ankindG 6.t that they 3.st also possess a hi5h standard of ideals and spirit.alityC at least
eno.5h to ena6le the3 to 6e .sef.l instr.3ents for con/eyin5 the lofty precepts and hi5h
teachin5s #hich it is inc.36ent .pon the3 to 5i/e o.tC in order to carry o.t the #ill of Those
#ho e3ploy the3.
The principal 3e36ers of the t#o parties #ere rather startled recently 6y the state3ent
of $rs. Annie Besant E3ade pri/atelyC 6.t no# 5enerally kno#nF that she tho.5ht that she
3.st ha/e 6een .nder a 5la3o.rC in s.pposin5 that she had #orked #ith $r. 1ead6eater
#hile he #as 5i/in5 s.ch har3f.l teachin5s - .nder the 5.idanceC and in the presence of the
$ahat3as. I #ished to 3ake 3y o#n 3ind easy a6o.t the 3atterC so I asked the $ahat3as
this <.estionI -Is it then tr.e that $rs. Besant and $r. 1ead6eater did #ork to5ether on the
:i5her PlanesC .nder yo.r 5.idance and instr.ction?- Ans#erI E$ahat3a $.F -$ost
e3phatically yes?- P.estionI -Was she ri5ht in thinkin5 that 6eca.se $r. 1ead6eater had
6een 5i/in5 o.t certain teachin5s that #ere o6;ectiona6leC he #as not fit to 6e yo.r
instr.3entC or to 6e in yo.r presence?- Ans#erI -@oC Where can yo. find .s perfect
instr.3ents at this sta5e of 4/ol.tion? Shall #e #ithhold kno#led5e that #o.ld 6enefit
h.3anityC si3ply 6eca.se #e ha/e no perfect instr.3ents to con/ey it to the #orld?- E1F
P.estionI -Then it is not tr.e that they #ere either of the3 3istaken or .nder a 5la3o.r?-
Ans#erI -Decidedly not. I #ish yo. to state this p.6licly.-
I can 5i/e no 6etter eBa3ples than the +o.ndersC to corro6orate #hat the $ahat3as
saidC for in spite of o.r 3anifold shortco3in5s and physical #eaknessesC They did not
hesitate to e3ploy .s as Their instr.3entsC 6eca.se they sa# in .s the capacity of 6eco3in5
loyalC tr.e #orkers. As for 3yselfC yo. kno# #ell #hat an i3perfect instr.3ent I ha/e 6eenC
and so far as :.P.B. #as concernedC yo. kno# that a $aster once #rote thro.5h her hand
and referred to her -.nfort.nateC rotten old 6ody-. E2F
In the principal disco.rses #hich I recently 5a/e at the international !on5ress at Paris
and the 1ondon and !hica5o !on/entionsC I disc.ssed this 3atter freelyC for the sense of it
oppressed 3y 3indC and I felt that it #o.ld 6e 3ost .n#ise to allo# the Society to take a
standC #hich see3ed to 3e to 6e an eBtre3e oneC concernin5 ideals that #ere i3possi6le to
realiAe at o.r present sta5e of de/elop3ent. EF In 3y Paris address I saidI -So3e years a5o
I #rote an article on )Asceticis3)C in #hich I told a6o.t the re6.ke that #as ad3inistered to 3e
at Bo36ayC 6y a $asterC #hen .pon 6ein5 asked to na3e the one of all the then 3e36ers of
the Society in IndiaC #ho3 I tho.5ht the 6ri5htestC spirit.allyC I na3ed one #hose de/otion to
the Society #as 5reatC and #hose personal
----------------
E1F The 'ahatma Letters thro# considera6le li5ht on this. We askC if a seB.al per/ert
and a per/erter of 6oysC and a 5ross corr.pter of doctrineC can ha/e co33.nications #ith
$ahat3asC #ho co.ldn)t? =.st #hat <.alities are s.pposed to 6e re<.isite?
E2F B.t she did not ha/e an .nfort.nateC rotten old mind.
EF To refrain fro3 teachin5 seB.al /ice to children is an i3possi6le ideal for a leader of
a spirit.al or5aniAation to attain?
----------------
cond.ct #as irreproacha6leG 6.t I #as told that I sho.ld ha/e selected a certain person #ho
altho.5h a dr.nkardC #as spirit.ally ad/anced #ithin.- E"F @o sensi6le person #o.ld say that
one addicted to dr.nkenness or seB.al eBcesses is 3ore likely to 6e an acc.rate teacher or
#ise co.nselor than one #ho leads a decent lifeG <.ite the contraryC 6.t it 3eans that no#
and a5ain appears a person despite 3oral failin5sC can ser/e as a channel for hi5h teachin5s.
8et the /ery fact of his 3oral taint #o.ld nat.rally p.t .s on o.r 5.ard for fear that #e 3i5ht
fall into the trap of o.r o#n cred.lityC and take the teachin5s #itho.t proper scr.tiny. E%F
The $ahat3as #ished 3e to state in reference to the dist.r6ances that ha/e arisen
6eca.se #e dee3ed it #ise to accept $r. 1ead6eater)s resi5nation fro3 the SocietyC that it
#as ri5ht to call an Ad/isory !o.ncil to disc.ss the 3atterG it #as ri5ht to ;.d5e the teachin5s
to #hich #e o6;ected as #ron5C and it #as ri5ht to accept his resi5nationG 6.t it #as not ri5ht
that the 3atter sho.ld ha/e 6een 3ade so p.6licC for his sake as #ell as for that of the
Society.
:e said it sho.ld 6e the sacred d.ty of e/ery TheosophistC if he finds a Brother 5.ilty of
a #ron5C to try to pre/ent that Brother fro3 contin.in5 in his #ron5-doin5C and to protect
others fro3 6ein5 conta3inated 6y that #ron5 so far as it is possi6leG 6.t it is also his d.ty as
a Theosophist to shield his Brother fro3 6ein5 held .p .nnecessarily to 5eneral p.6lic
conde3nation and ridic.le. E'F
- :.S. 7lcott.
EThe rest of this state3ent is e36odied in a passa5e #hich #e #ill <.ote a little later in
a letterC p.2.F
AdyarC =an.(C 102(.
T7 T:4 T:47S7P:I!A1 S7!I4T8C Its 7fficers and $e36ersI
Dear BrethrenI - In the 6e5innin5 of this year 102(C #hich 3y se/eral 3edical
attendants in ItalyC on 6oard shipC at !olo36o and here at AdyarC ha/e al3ost .nani3o.sly
proclai3ed to 6e the last year of 3y eBistence in this physical 6odyC it 6ehoo/es 3e to p.t 3y
ho.se in orderI also to place on record certain #ords of co.nsel 5i/en to 3e 6y the $astersC
connected #ith the affairs of the office of President of the Theosophical Society. This Society
#hich is no# operatin5 in forty-fi/e different co.ntries of the #orldC thro.5h o/er siB h.ndred
Branch SocietiesC co3prises a 5reat n.36er of persons of different races and reli5ionsC all
.nited to5ether on the platfor3 of Hni/ersal BrotherhoodC so it concerns 3e to appoint as 3y
s.ccessorC one #ho #ill act #ith perfect i3partiality as re5ards 3oralsC reli5ions and politicsC
fa/o.rin5 no one 6.t
-------------
E"F The .se of li<.orC #hich destroys the Antaskarana or connection 6et#een the
hi5her and lo#er sel/esC is strictly for6iddenC e/en for pro6ationersC in the occ.lt schools. It is
s.55ested that so3e tho.5ht 6e 5i/en to the far reachin5 -tolerance- of e/il ha6its s.6tly
inc.lcated 6y this -3ahat3ic- ad/iceC and the pre/io.s <.otation.
E%F B.t that is eBactly #hat all the neo-theosophists did.
E'F Hni3peacha6le senti3entsG the #riter has tried to follo# the3 o.t in 3ore than one
case hi3self. B.t is it protectin5 others a5ainst 3oral conta3ination to .phold the /icti3
thereof as an a5ent of the $astersC and 3ake a /irt.al Arhat of hi3?
-------------
holdin5 the scales 6et#een all #ith perfect ;.sticeC as I ha/e al#ays tried to do. There are
3any in o.r Society #ho s.rpass 3e in learnin5C and in /ario.s other <.alities #hich 5o to
3ake .p the capa6le r.lerC 6.t I lea/e it to posterity to say #hether there is one a3on5 .s
#ho has #orked 3ore Aealo.sly than 3yself to realise the idea of Hni/ersal Brotherhood.
The responsi6ility restin5 .pon 3e to appoint 3y s.ccessor #as too 5reatC soC as in
pre/io.s ti3es d.rin5 the co.rse of official d.ties connected #ith this SocietyC I tr.sted to
Those 6ehind the 3o/e3ent to 5i/e 3e Their ad/ice in the 3atter.
1ast e/enin5C in the presence of #itnessesC $ahat3a $. and $ahat3a >.:. appeared
6ehind 3y sick-6edC /isi6le to o.r physical eyes and speakin5 in /oices a.di6le to o.r
physical ears. They told 3e to appoint Annie Besant as 3y s.ccessor. They saidC no 3atter
#ho3 I sho.ld appoint there #o.ld 6e so3e discontented onesC 6.t that takin5 e/erythin5
into considerationC They 3ost decidedly considered her the 6est fitted for the office.
I therefore appoint Annie Besant to take the office of President of the Theosophical
Society at 3y deathC and I cannot 6.t feel 5lad that Their decision confir3s the /ie# that I had
3yself already taken. I feel con/inced that I can safely tr.st to her the ad3inistration of the
d.ties of the office I ha/e held for the last thirty-one yearsC the 3ore so 6eca.se the $asters
ass.red 3e last e/enin5 that They #o.ld o/ershado# herC as they ha/e 3e in the #ork.
They 6oth appro/ed 3y #ish that Adyar sho.ld 6e kept as the :ead<.arters of the
Theosophical SocietyC and the of official residence of the PresidentC for the ti3e of their officeC
inas3.ch as the property has 6een 6o.5ht 6y the +o.ndersC .nder Their Ethe $astersF direct
inspiration.
In case she does not find it possi6le to re3ain in the office the entire ter3C I 6e5 her
not to appoint a s.ccessor .nless They appro/e of her choice.
- :.S. 7lcottC +.T.S.
!o33entin5 on this 3aterialC #e #rote o.r correspondent as follo#sI
... 7ne does not e/en ha/e to resort to Theosophical teachin5sC s.ch as in )sis
2neiledC re5ardin5 the psychic history of 3ankindC to learn that 3ass del.sions or
hall.cinationsC so3eti3es affectin5 tho.sands rather than t#o or threeC are a3on5 <.ite
co33on 3anifestations - 6e5innin5 #ith A6raha3 and -9od- in the 6.rnin5 6.sh. In The
'ahatma LettersC p. "1%C #e find the follo#in5I
-...And does not 4. $aitland see :er3es the first and second and 4li;ahC etc. +inally
does not $rs. >in5sford feel as s.re as S.$. #ith re5ard to Q that she sa# and con/ersed
#ith 9od?? And that 6.t a fe# e/enin5s after she had talked #ithC and recei/ed a #ritten
co33.nication fro3 the Spirit of a do5? ReadC read $aitland)s #oulC etc.C once 3oreC 3y
friendC see pp. 1,2C 10"C 20C 2"2C and 2'(-,-0C etc. And #ho p.rer or 3ore tr.thf.l than
that #o3an or $aitland? $ysteryC 3ystery #ill yo. eBclai3. I5norance #e ans#erI the
creation of that #e 6elie/e in and ,ant to see.-
!.rrently #e ha/e the /ario.s /isionsC s.ch as that of the -$iracle of +ati3a- and the
3ore recent one of a 5ro.p of !atholic children #ho sa# the *ir5in $ary in a 6.sh. The
present #riter has o6ser/ed incidents #here o.t of a 5ro.pC so3e sa# thin5s that #ere <.ite
in/isi6le or ina.di6le to othersC and e3phatically denied 6y the3. Then a5ain #e ha/e s.ch
incidents as the -Bo#3en of $onsC- and one co.ld di5 .p perhaps a h.ndred others attested
to 6y indisp.ta6ly honest people. :ence s.ch an incident can not 6e ;.d5ed 6y its face /al.e
.nless one is to co.rt deception. It 3.st 6e considered fro3 3any different an5les and in its
entire conteBtG a 6ack5ro.nd especially #ideC and e36racin5 the presentC pastC and f.t.reC
#here Adepts are s.pposedly concerned.
As to the 3echanis3 of s.ch an apparitionI any real AdeptC 6lack or #hiteC can do the
follo#in5I
1. Pro;ect any 5i/en /isionC #ith acco3panyin5 so.ndsC etc.C into the 6rains of those
psychically s.scepti6le.
2. Present an astral appearance of any shape desiredC /isi6le and a.di6le to nor3al
si5htC hearin5 and to.ch.
. Place in the 3inds of any persons #ho 3ay ha/e 3ade personal contact #ith hi3
and 6een hypnotiAedC post-hypnotic /isions tri55ered to 6eco3e apparently o6;ecti/e at a
5i/en ti3e and place. Accordin5 to The $ahat3a 1ettersC e/en a third-rate Ti6etan d.5pa
can hypnotiAe a #hole /illa5e into deep sleep and steal its property?
$ass /isions of the order of so3e of the !atholic 3anifestations 3ay 6e either inspired
th.s or 6e the res.lt of a sin5le 3ind first concei/in5 a hall.cinationC then .nconscio.sly
trans3ittin5 it to others.
1et .s then look at the results of this /isionI in the lon5 r.nC it prod.ced the follo#in5I
The lon5 1ead6eater rei5n #hich esta6lished the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC and the
str.ct.re of neo-theosophyC and the 3essianic f.rore o/er >rishna3.rtiG f.rther splittin5 the
$o/e3entC settin5 aside and per/ertin5 - as #e are sho#in5 - so3e of the principal o6;ecti/es
of the $ahat3as the3sel/esC dri/in5 tho.sands o.t of the SocietyC 3akin5 it a la.5hin5 stock
in the ne#spapersC and 6rin5in5 .pon it lastin5 ill rep.te - as #e kno# too #ell 6y personal
eBperience of these effects. It also .shered in the f.rther scandals concernin5 1ead6eaterC to
the sa3e effect. 7f co.rse those in the -Adyar Tradition- are not likely to see these thin5s in
the sa3e proportion as #e doG they ha/e 6een -conditioned- to#ard 3ollifyin5 the3 or
do#nri5ht failin5 to see their si5nificance. They ha/e also 6een c.shioned a5ainst the p.6lic
effects 6y the #ell kno#n principle that -yo.r 6est friends #on)t tell yo..- WeC on the o.tsideC
and #here people don)t h.rt o.r feelin5s 6y re3arks a6o.t the Adyar section of the
$o/e3entC ha/e 6een in a position to recei/e the f.ll i3pact.
As to the s.pposed 6road-3indedness of the $ahat3as in selectin5 Annie Besant -
#hich also 3eant to select a f.t.re for the Society .nder the 1ead6eater infl.enceC and #ith
their kno#led5e of the f.t.re and the c.rrent kar3ic seeds they co.ld hardly ha/e 3issed that
- it is also necessary to consider a #ider pict.re. It is tr.e that they do not de3and perfection
in a chela or a5ent. B.t for anyone chosen as a leader they certainly de3and at least
co33on honesty and 3orality. 1ead6eater #asC on his o#n confessionC a teacher of
infa3o.s practices to 6oysG a far different thin5 fro3 6ein5 a 3ere personal /icti3 to any
specific /ice. Annie BesantC as the indisp.ta6le record)s sho#G had 6een 5.ilty of the
5rossest trans5ressions of her sacred pled5es and of treachery to an associateG and at that
/ery ti3e .ccult Chemistry and the rest #ere 6re#in5 6et#een her and 1ead6eater. It #as
also at that ti3e that the na3e of :.P.B. had 6een forced al3ost entirely off the accepted
6ook lists.
Are #e to s.ppose that the .pper cr.st of the Society at that ti3e #as in s.ch a
horri6le 3oral slo.5h that s.ch persons #ere the only possi6le 3eans of contin.in5 to let a
fe# dri66les of the real philosophy filter thro.5h? Then it 3.st ha/e 6een in /ery 6ad case
indeed? It does not re<.ire a person of enor3o.s kno#led5e and personal 3a5netis3 to
f.lfill ade<.ately s.ch a f.nction as the Presidency of the Society as it #as intended to 6e. It
only re<.ires an honestC de/otedC and st.dio.s one - of #ho3 there #ere act.ally a lar5e
n.36er stillC any one of #ho3 co.ld ha/e 6een appointed instead. As yo. recallC there #ere
lar5e n.36er of pro3inent 3e36ers #ho ref.sed to accept this /ision at all. A3on5 the3
#ere Sinnett hi3selfC certainly hi5hly respectedC and #ith the added presti5e of ha/in5 6een
a3on5 the first direct correspondents #ith the $ahat3asG a lar5e section #as tryin5 to
sec.re the appoint3ent of Bertra3 >ei5htlyC also of hi5h standin5 and hi5h character.
SinnettC $eadeC and +.llerton also o6;ected to this /ision. Alone a3on5 all theseC Annie
Besant #as the only one #ho #o.ld ha/e #orked for the restoration of the po#er of
1ead6eater - yet in this -$ahat3a- state3ent itself is the ad3ission of 1ead6eater)s sins and
the propriety of his ha/in5 resi5ned? !ontradictoryC to say the least - if the 3essa5e #ere
really #hat it see3ed.
B.t no#C let .s ass.3e that #hile its participants #ere honestC the /ision itself #as
fra.d.lentC and insert therein the necessary tho.5hts of the perpetrators thereofC and see
#hether it does not fit the conteBt 3.ch 6etter that #ayI
-1et those #ho 6elie/e in o.r eBistenceC and that #e are 6ehind the Theosophical
$o/e3entC also that #e shall contin.e to e3ploy it as an a5ency for the .pliftin5 of 3ankindC
kno# that #e are so3eti3es forced to e3ploy i3perfect instr.3ents E6eca.se of the lack of
perfect onesF for o.r #orkG- Eonce 5et the idea #ell o/er that i3perfection is allo#a6leG then
#ho is to dra# the line at -#here it 3.st stop? 1et the3 5et the idea that -$asters- o/erlook
e/en s.ch /ices as hisC and #ho kno#s #hat 3oral de5radation #e can dra# the 3e36ership
intoG for it is e/en as #ith ;eho/ah - #hatsoe/er the -1ord- decrees is ri5ht.F -thereforeC cease
fro3 s.ch t.r3oil and strifeC and fro3 ca.sin5 s.ch dist.r6ance in the Hnity of BrotherhoodC
and th.s #eakenin5 its stren5thG 6.t instead #ork to5ether in har3onyC to fit yo.rsel/es to 6e
.sef.l instr.3ents to aid .sC instead of i3pedin5 o.r #ork. We #ho are 6ehind the
Theosophical $o/e3ent are po#erlessC so3eti3esC to pre/ent the checks and dist.r6ances
that 3.st a/oida6ly ariseC 6eca.se of the >ar3a of indi/id.al 3e36ersI 6.t yo. can aid .s
3.ch 6y ref.sin5 to take part in s.ch dist.r6ancesC and 6y li/in5 tr.e to the hi5hest possi6le
ideals of Theosophy. Sho.ld any e/ent 6rin5 forth see3in5 in;.sticeC ha/e faith in the 1a#C
that ne/er fails to ad;.st 3atters. !ease r.shin5 headlon5 into strifeC or takin5 part in
dissensions?
:old to5ether in 6rotherly lo/eC since yo. are part of the 9reat Hni/ersal Self. Are yo.
not stri/in5 a5ainst yo.rsel/es? Are not yo.r Brother)s sins yo.r o#n? Peace? Tr.st in .s.-
EAndC there6yC thro.5h passi/ity and non-resistanceC our a5ents can #ork .nhindered to tear
do#n the $o/e3ent .nder the shield of -Brotherly lo/eC- no 3atter #hat they 3ay do fro3 the
co33only accepted points of /ie#.F
As to the ad/ice repeated 6y 7lcott in the para5raph on the sa3e pa5eI it #o.ld ha/e
6een eBcellent policy and politics for the ene3y to ad3it 1ead6eater)s 5.ilt - since he had
ad3itted it hi3self and no f.rther conceal3ent #as possi6le - and to c.rry fa/or #ith the
3e36ership 6y endorsin5 the Ad/isory !o.ncil. It also did no har3 to do/etail this #ith the
.ndenia6ly 5ood ad/ice as to non-p.6licity 5i/en. They co.ld co.nt on the contin.ance of
Annie Besant in office to 6rin5 1ead6eater 6ack in d.e ti3eC her 3ind ha/in5 6een .nder their
control e/er since the =.d5e caseG and it is hi5hly si5nificant that she 6e5an a ca3pai5n to
that effect i33ediately after the -3anifestations.- The te3porary #ithdra#al of 1ead6eater
fro3 the scene #as 3erely a strate5ic retreat <.ickly reco.ped.
We do not consider the .se of the ter3 the -Theosophical $o/e3ent- /ers.s the
-Society- /ery e/idential. To o.r o#n kno#led5eC 6oth the Pasadena Society and H.1.T. are
ha6it.ally spoken of as the -$o/e3ent- 6y their o#n 3e36ersC and #e ha/e heard Adyar
3e36ers in the sa3e .sa5e as to their o#n 5ro.p.
@oG #e fear that it 3erely ser/es .s as an additionalC and /ery stron5 link in the chain
of e/idence as to the real nat.re of the forces in/ol/ed in the control of the Society follo#in5
102'. It fits fro3 6e5innin5 to end the thesis #e ha/e 6een de/elopin5C and falls directly in
line #ith the 1022 letter that #e ha/e consistently clai3ed to 6e a psychic for5ery. The only
s.6stantial 6asis #e can see for considerin5 the incident as d.e to the $ahat3as #o.ld
in/ol/e the acceptance of the p.rely pheno3enal aspect of it as /erdical. B.t this cannot hold
#ater in the face of the often repeated and strin5ent #arnin5s a6o.t that /ery thin5 in the
Teachin5s the3sel/es. A3on5 other thin5sC it #o.ld i3ply that only ,hite adepts can perfor3
pheno3ena of this sort. @othin5 co.ld 6e farther fro3 the tr.thG and one #ho relies on 3ere
pheno3ena #itho.t stron5 s.pportin5 e/idenceC moral as #ell as fact.alC is layin5 hi3self
open to the 3ost horri6le for3s of 3ental and 3oral eBploitation. The #orld #ill 6e 6oilin5
#ith pheno3ena of all kinds and ori5ins 6y 10(%. What is to 6e o.r standard of discri3ination
if #e allo# the pheno3enal appearance to r.le o/er 3orals and reason?
If there #ere no real pro6le3 of this kindC #hy #ere the $asters and :.P.B. - and
=.d5e for that 3atter - so e3phatic a6o.t it?
- SerialiAed in Theosophical NotesC =an.-$ayC 10%"
---------------------------------
[17]
!<OD!
CO&&ESPONDENCE
2,(C Inlet A/en.eC *ictoriaC B.!.C
=.ly %thC 10%2.
The 4ditor !anadian Theosophist.
Dear SirC
$r. Pease)s letter in the =.ly -!anadian Theosophist- e36odyin5 an eBcerpt fro3 the
-Theosophical $o/e3ent- is a /ery ti3ely one and sho.ld 6e taken to heartC 6y all serio.s
st.dents of theosophy. S.ch criticis3 is indeed 6adly neededC and one has only to refer to
the article 6y !. =inara;adasa in the sa3e n.36er in order to realiAe the kind of theosophy
that is 6ein5 #idely p.6licised today.
Speakin5 of a 3e36er of the SocietyC $r. =inara;adasa saysI -While he 3ay still
re3ain a de/o.t 3e36er of his o#n faithC he passes 6eyond that faith into reco5nition that all
faiths ha/e the 3essa5e of 9od.-
Tr.eC all faiths ha/e the sa3e ori5in 6.t here #e ha/e -9od- croppin5 .p a5ain as one
#ho can send 3essa5es to -his- follo#ersC and the theosophist is apparently to 6e de/otedly
faithf.l to this 3esa5e #hile at the sa3e t.ne acceptin5 the 3essa5e of the $asters #hich
rep.diates the eBistence of any s.ch Bein5.
In yo.r -7ffice @otes- yo. 5en.inely deplore the .se of the #ord -9od- in Theosophical
3a5aAinesC 6.t say that yo. ha/e no o6;ection to its .se -6y those #ho prefer it-. :o#e/erC
as lon5 as the #ord is .sed there see3s no .se in o6;ectin5 to the personal prono.nC or the
-plans- or -3essa5es- e3anatin5 fro3 -hi3-C for they are insepara6le fro3 a -9od- #ho can
only 6e referred to 6y a personal prono.n.
8o.rs sincerelyC
- 4.>. $iddleton.
----------------
[28]
#pea!ing .ut
THE HIDDEN VOICE
A sickness of heart co3es o/er one on readin5 and ponderin5 lon5 an article in the
7cto6er 10(1 iss.e of The Theosophist 6y :.5h Shear3anC titled -Theosophical 7ntolo5ies.-
It is an article that de3ands fro3 3e36ers of all Theosophical Societies and 5ro.ps a 3ost
caref.l and honest e/al.ation. What inner .r5in5sC #e 3ay askC led to its #ritin5 and
p.6lication? What effects 3ay it ha/e not only on one Theosophical Society 6.t on the #hole
Theosophical $o/e3ent?
A c.rio.s introd.ctory note 6y the 4ditorC @. Sri Ra3C co33entin5 that the article 3ay
6e re5arded 6y so3e as contro/ersialC as -.psettin5 to settled /ie#s of one sort or anotherC-
#o.ld indicate that he hi3self 3ay re5ard it as constit.tin5 a challen5eC a thro#in5 do#n of
the 5a.ntlet. We 3ay certainly accept his #ords as indirectC if not o/ertC in/itation eBpectant
of a re6.ttal eBpressin5 )other) /ie#s.
So #e speak o.t. And #e tr.st that this #ill 6e only one of other speakin5s-o.t fro3
Theosophists in 3any co.ntriesG for in Dr. Shear3an)s #ords #e find a line of tho.5ht and
attit.de #hichC if representati/e of lar5e n.36ers of other TheosophistsC co.ld chan5e the
f.t.re co.rse and destiny of that no6le $o/e3ent la.nched and re-acti/ated in the closin5
<.arter of the 10th cent.ry #ith s.ch hi5h hopes 6y :.P. Bla/atsky and the Adept
Brotherhood of #hich she #as the o.ter representati/e.
These #ords are not le/eled in an .ncharita6le spirit at any indi/id.al. They point #ith
honest con/iction to #hat appears to the #riter to 6e a 5reat and serio.s dan5er #ithin the
Theosophical $o/e3entG for #hat Dr. Shear3an #rites 3ay #ell act as a place6o helpin5 to
l.ll the stirrin5 conscience of 3any 6eca.se of its appealin5 6.t specio.s ar5.3entC its fla/or
of scientific open in<.iry. To othersC of co.rseC it #ill ser/e as an irritantC a prod or challen5e.
Dr. Shear3an ad/ances the idea that there are in Theosophy 3ainly t#o ontolo5ies.
E:e is .sin5 the #ord in its philosophic 3eanin5 as the science of 6ein5 or realityG the 6ranch
of kno#led5e that in/esti5ates the nat.reC essential propertyC and relations of 6ein5F. There is
the ontolo5yC he saysC #hich -ca3e fro3 $ada3e Bla/atskyC- eBtensions of #hich -are to 6e
fo.nd in the 'ahatma LettersC #ith respect to #hich she #as the 3edi.3 and 3eans of
trans3ission . . .- And there isC he contendsC the ontolo5y of Bishop 1ead6eater - -3ore
personally his o#n-C fro3 his indi/id.al eBperience. These areC the a.thor declaresC /ery
lar5ely #hat constit.tes the corp.s of Theosophical literat.re today.
That is Dr. Shear3an)s 3a;or pre3iseC and fro3 it he p.rs.es his ar5.3ent. B.t it is a
false pre3iseC .ntr.eG and th.s no 3atter #ith #hat apparently fair or pers.asi/e reasonin5
he seeks its s.pportC it #ill conf.se and 3islead the .nt.tored reader or 6e5innin5 st.dent of
Theosophy.
1et .s speak plainly. There are not in Theosophy /ario.s and s.ndry )ontolo5ies)
differin5 in their f.nda3ental teachin5s concernin5 the nat.re of the .ni/erse Esee The
'ahatma LettersC p. "0F - not one propo.nded 6y :.P.B. and another e<.ally so.nd and
a.thentic presented 6y !.W. 1ead6eater or 6y 7lcott or 6y To3C Dick or :arry. Tr.th per se is
one. It is not one thin5 here and another thin5 so3e#here else. )t is one. If yo. #ant to .se
the ter3 )ontolo5y)C accepta6le to that 6ranch of st.dy called PhilosophyC then there is in
Theosophy only one ontolo5y. We prefer the si3ple #ord Teachin5. The Teachin5s are the
facts of .ni/ersal 6ein5. Thus +ae ) +eard: )ti maya srutamI are the #ords that 3ark the
tr.e chela 6eco3e Teacher. 7nly as I ha/e 6een ta.5htC only as I ha/e recei/ed itC do I pass
on the Teachin5. What tr.e Theosophist does not reco5niAe its esoteric rin5? 7n that
state3ent and #hat it deeply si5nifies Theosophy stands - or falls.
B.t thisC yo. sayC is not an attit.de accepta6le to Science or scientists today. 1et that
6e. 9i/en ti3eC in the tr.e spirit of scientific in<.iry and researchC leadin5 and int.iti/e
thinkers #ill co3e to reco5niAe the 6asic Theosophical tr.ths. This is not said do53atically
6.t 6eca.se #e 6elie/eC as Dr. 9. de P.r.cker eBpresses it E.ccult $lossaryF that Theosophy
is -the for3.lation in h.3an lan5.a5e of the nat.reC str.ct.reC ori5inC destinyC and operations
of the >os3ical .ni/erse and of the 3.ltit.des of 6ein5s #hich infill it.- +acts are pitchforksC
said :.P.B. so3e#hereC 3eanin5 they are thereG they eBistG they cannot 6e #ished a#ay or
denied. 7.r inade<.acy intellect.ally and int.iti/ely to 5rasp the3C to place the3 in proper
relationship #ith other facts of 6ein5C does not chan5e das &ing an sich. It re3ains.
76/io.sly :.P.B. did not say all there #as to say a6o.t these facts of 6ein5C 6.t #hat she did
say is a faithf.l reportin5 on ,hich students can rely. They can test the3G they sho.ld. They
can <.estion the3G they sho.ld. They #ill find that there #ill 6e no need to thro# the3
o/er6oardC to flo.nder aro.nd for ne# factsC orC if yo. preferC ne# ontolo5ies.
4ach st.dent #illC of co.rseC see these 6asic ideas colored 6y his o#n nat.re and
.nderstandin5 - so3e 3ore clearly and int.iti/ely one aspectG so3e another. B.t this
nat.ralC personal colorin5 is not a creatin5 of 5rand post.lates or ne# and #orthy )ontolo5ies).
It is 3erely a /ie#in5 of the Tr.th thro.5h the <.alities of one)s indi/id.al s#a6ha/aC one)s
essential nat.re. Seek the Tr.th. Seek the 9reat Idea. The rest #ill co3e. Seek in the
buddhi-manas of yo.r 6ein5C and let psychic /isions fall into their place as relati/ely
.ni3portant and s.6sidiary.
Dr. Shear3an stresses the )personality) of these t#o indi/id.alsC e3phasiAin5 the
-stron5 pre;.dices of :.P.B.- #hich affect the -descripti/e 3aterial that ca3e fro3 herC- and
insin.atin5C as an instanceC that her acco.nts of the after-death conditions -clash /ery
e3phaticallyC not only #ith #hat Bishop 1ead6eater and other 3e36ers of the Society later
descri6eC 6.t also #ith descriptions 5i/en 6y psychics <.ite .nconnected #ith the Society.- EI
sho.ld think so?F
Thro.5ho.t the article the effort to discredit :.P.B.)s bona fides is transparent.
Shear3an <.otes fro3 A.P. Sinnett)s The 5arly &ays of Theosophy in 5urope Ep. 2'FC #ritten
as all historians sho.ld kno#C #hen A.P.S. in his later years #as dis5r.ntled #ith Theosophy
and had co3pletely t.rned a5ainst :.P.B. Sinnett says that :.P.B. did not kno# eno.5h of
the tr.ths of -ReincarnationC kar3aC the planetary chainsC the s.ccession of root-racesC the
s.6 races and so on- to ta3per #ith the3C -to i3port conf.sion- into the3G 6.tC he i3plies
that 6eca.se of -a 6itter detestation of spirit.alis3- she let this feelin5 distort the teachin5s on
the )after-death) conditions.
Poppycock? Anyone #ho kno#s anythin5 a6o.t :.P.B. and ho# she #as trained and
ta.5ht #ill la.5h at this 6leatin5 of the 6r.ised e5o. It is pitia6le eno.5h to recall Sinnett)s
t.rnin5 on his friend after all he had recei/ed fro3 her of inesti3a6le /al.e #hile she #as
ali/eG 6.t for a later Theosophical #riterC an historian to 6ootC to seek reinforce3ent of his
o#n personal /ie#s fro3 this 6iased so.rce is sadly reprehensi6le.
Shear3an tries to sho# that letters #hich :.P.B. 3an.3itted fro3 the $asters
contained ideas and eBpressions o.t of her o#n head. In s.pport of this he <.otes phrases
taken o.t of conteBt fro3 a letter fro3 :.P.B. #ritten in W.rA6.r5C 9er3anyC in =.ne 1,,' and
copied in the hand#ritin5 of +ra. +. 9e6hard. A caref.l readin5 of that #hole letter Esee The
TheosophistC A.5.st 101C andC for a lon5er /ersionC The /athC $arch 1,0F 3akes perfectly
clear that :.P.B. #as not #ritin5 anythin5 o.t of her o#n head and 3akin5 it appear to 6e
$aster)s. It often happened that in precipitatin5 3essa5es fro3 the $asterC chelas #ho co.ld
not speak 4n5lish so.5ht appropriate 4n5lish #ords and phrases -fro3 :.P.B.)s o#n head-
#hen she #as present.
B.t the real 3essa5e #as not ta3pered #ithG it #as con/eyed as intended. To i3ply
that :.P.B. )in/ented) these is a plain falsehood. And as for the 5eneral sl.r that :.P.B.
concocted lar5e portions of these 3essa5es herselfC ;.st ask yo.rself the si3ple <.estionI If
yo. co.ld prod.ce or #rite anythin5 on order fro3 the $aster and in his o#n style of
hand#ritin5C #o.ld this 3essa5e 6e considered your o,n or $aster)s?? If yo. take a note in
shorthand fro3 the 6oss and he saysC Si5n it and post itC is that letter his 3essa5e or yo.rs?
0erb" sap.
WhoC after allC #as :.P.B.? All tr.e Theosophists sho.ld kno# her ri5htf.l place. It is
not a 3atter of praise or #orship. It is a 3atter of honesty and a 6.rnin5 desire to search for
and kno# the Tr.th. Who #as that co3pleBC dyna3icC often /olcanic and .ncon/entional
character? Says the $aster $. E'ahatma LettersC p. 2'FI -... a #o3an )of 3ost eBceptional
and #onderf.l endo#3ents. !o36ined #ith the3 she had stron5 personal defectsC 6.t ;.st
as she #asC there #as no second to her li/in5 fit for this #ork.- In si3ple lan5.a5eC :.P.B.
#as far 3ore than a sensiti/e psychic of rare a6ility. She #asC aboe all elseC the direct and
chosen /ehicle or carrier of the 3essa5e -of the tr.ths of 6ein5- a6o.t $an and @at.re fro3
the Trans-:i3ilayan Adepts. She #as their chelaC #ho had paid the a#f.l price necessary in
trainin5 and discipleship. What do #eC #ith o.r petty co3parisonsC o.r li3ited foc.s of
.nderstandin5C kno# of the constraintsC the r.lesC .nder #hich she la6ored in order to
6eco3e #orthyC second to noneC to carry o.t her 3ission? A5ain the $aster $. speaks Eop"
cit" p. 2(2FI -The 7ld Wo3an is acc.sed of .ntr.thf.lnessC inacc.racy in her state3ents...
She is forbidden to say #hat she kno#s. 8o. 3ay c.t her to pieces and she #ill not tell
...#ere she a nat.ral 6orn liar - she 3i5ht 6e happier and Lha/eM #on her day lon5 since 6y
this ti3e. B.t that)s ;.st #here the shoe pinchesC Sahi6. She is too truthful( too outspo!en(
too incapable of dissimulationC and no# she is 6ein5 daily cr.cified for it.-
:.P.B. 3akes no 6ones a6o.t her o#n <.alifications. She kne# #hat she kne# and
for the 3ost part kept silent on the real iss.es in/ol/ed. Despite #hat her detractors in the
past ha/e said of herG still #orseC despite #hat so-called friends #o.ld inti3ate todayC that
she concocted or in/ented these tr.thsC she declares frankly and strai5htfor#ardlyC 6orro#in5
$ontai5ne)s #ordsC that #hat she 6ro.5ht of her o#n #as 6.t the )strin5) that tied the
)nose5ay of c.lled flo#ers). And she adds #ords that e/ery st.dent of Theosophy sho.ld
kno# and sho.ld ha/e testedI -P.ll the )strin5) to pieces and c.t it .p in shredsC if yo. #ill. As
for the nose5ay of +A!TS - yo. #ill ne/er 6e a6le to 3ake a#ay #ith these. 8o. can only
i5nore the3C and no 3ore.-
And here let .s say that these -facts- do not co3prise an )ontolo5y) of :.P.B.)s. What
she 6ro.5ht is a pa5e of the Secret DoctrineC so3ethin5 a6o.t the tr.th in @at.re - in/iola6le
6eca.se a part of TRHT: itself. It sho.ld 6e o6/io.s to any tyro in Theosophy that :.P.B.)s
#ordsC #hen it co3es to teachin5C #hen it co3es to reportin5 the facts of .ni/ersal nat.reC
are #hat ha/e 6een checked and tested - scientificallyC if yo. pleaseC for #hat else is real
science 6.t s.ch a testin5? - 6y 5enerations of adepts and seersC and are an acc.rate
reportin5 of the3. @or do yo. 6elittle :.P.B. 6y sayin5 that she )3erely) reported these facts.
In sayin5 so yo. can only ele/ate her. And to sayC as Shear3an concl.desC that :.P.B.
confined herself -to the perhaps safer fields of thin5s lar5eC relati/ely re3ote and incapa6le of
testin5C- is #ith s.6tle cas.istry tryin5 to so# seeds of do.6t and conf.sion in the 3inds of
those .ntrained. And to trot o.t !o.nt >eyserlin5 as findin5 !.W. 1ead6eater)s acco.nt of
inner #orlds #ritten as -one #ho o6ser/es 3ore or less scientificallyC the only one #ho
descri6es in si3ple strai5htfor#ard lan5.a5e- - #hat s.pport is this? Since #hen is
>eyserlin5 considered an a.thority on the in/isi6le or astral #orlds?
It is do.6tf.l if any scientists #o.ld 6e i3pressed on readin5 1ead6eater)s 'an( +o,(
8hence and 8hither9 or his Lies of Alcyone 6y the /eracity of his /isions. To say this is to
state 3ildly #hat co.ld 6e eBpressed #ith so3e force. 7ne does not attack $r. 1ead6eater
6eca.se of his psychic eBplorin5sG one can reco5niAe his sincerity and the de/otion of his
follo#ersG 6.t one 3.st clearly state that his so-called reportin5s are si3ply #hat they areI
psychic in/esti5ations 6y a psychic and are not Theosophy as the #ord sho.ld 6e
.nderstood.
These are facts o.r readers sho.ld kno# in ;.d5in5 the #orth and /al.e of #hat is
presented as Theosophy today. Theosophy sho.ld 6e respectedC so.5ht after as i36odyin5
in its practical 6earin5 -di/ine ethics- E:.P.B.FG also reco5niAed as -the s.6strat.3 and 6asis
of all the #orld-reli5ions and philosophiesC ta.5ht and practised 6y a fe# elect e/er since 3an
6eca3e a thinkin5 3an- E :.P.B.FG andC as #e ha/e already notedC as reportin5 the -nat.reC
ori5inC destinyC and operations- of the Hni/erse and its 3.lti3yriad 6ein5s E9. de P.r.ckerF.
Theosophy sho.ld 6e reco5niAed as nothing less than this in the p.6lic 3ind.
WhatC franklyC #o.ld a lo5ical follo#-thro.5h of Dr. Shear3an)s ideas 3ean? That
6asically there are t#o Theosophical Societies? - one loyal to the Teachin5s of the ori5inal
+o.nders Eand co3posed of indi/id.als #ho are 3e36ers of /ario.s 5ro.ps and so3e
pro6a6ly not o.t#ardly e/en la6eled as TheosophistsFG and another #hose chief ai3 #o.ld
6e to ser/e the for#ardin5 of the psychic in/esti5ations of !. W. 1ead6eater and the 1i6eral
!atholic !h.rch of #hich he #as a Bishop?
1et .s 6e honest #ith o.rsel/es. That dichoto3y 3ay yet 6e in/isi6leC 6.t #ho #ill
deny that it is thereC 5ro#in5C consolidatin5? @o lon5er can a sl.36erin5 3e36ership s#eep
.nder the r.5 and shr.5 off #hat has lain hidden there as so3ethin5 to t.rn a#ay fro3 or
postpone decision on to so3e indefinite f.t.re. The hope of tr.e Theosophists has e/er 6een
to preser/e and pro3.l5ate the ori5inal Teachin5s #hich carry the i3pact of tested Tr.thC and
to #ork constr.cti/ely and har3onio.sly #ith all. The dan5er has 6eenC and is no# stron5er
than e/er - if #e 3ay ;.d5e 6y the p.6lication of this article .nder re/ie# in a Theosophical
or5an of international rep.te - that the p.re strea3 of teachin5 3ay 6e so conta3inated 6y
the psychic tideC that for the /ery preser/ation of that inner life essential to the $o/e3entC a
separation 3ay pro/e to 6e an .na/oida6le and re3edial necessity. It is a stran5e and
e3inently fatef.l sit.ation.
As a Bishop of the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC 1ead6eater 3ay speak for that 6ody
thro.5h his #ritin5sC 6.t he cannot .nder that 5.ise 6e considered to speak for the T.S. or for
Theosophy itselfC nor for any tr.e 4soteric Section of any Theosophy 6ody. 8et one is
i3pelled to askI Is there here a hidden /oice that th.s speaks for 3any kindlyC #ell-3eanin5C
sincere indi/id.als #ho are .nac<.ainted #ith the 6asic Theosophical literat.re and the
tradition 6ehind it? Is there a hidden /oice representin5 the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch that
seeks to ele/ate one of its Bishops and at the sa3e ti3e to lo#er in the esti3ation of
Theosophists .ncertain of their 5ro.nd :.P.B. and #hat she stood for?
7rC #e 3ay askC is there not another deeper hidden /oice thatC o/erleapin5 6arriers of
separati/e or5aniAations and the #eathered canyons of pre;.diceC speaks for .ntold n.36ers
in this 5reat Theosophical $o/e3ent? A /oice that cries o.t for Tr.th a6o/e all else? Tr.thC
that #ill enli5hten. Tr.th that #ill stir to no6le and #ise action? If and #hen #e co3e to tr.ly
kno# so3ethin5 of the 4ssence of the @at.re of Bein5 or RealityC can #e e/er 6e satisfied
#ith that #hich is o6/io.sly lessC s#ept alon5 6y c.rrents and te3ptations that offer the )easy
#ay)C s.cc.36in5 to the 3erely pleasin5 and pleasant? :as not the ti3e co3e in this ne#
cycle to stand fir3 and raise hi5h the 6anner of real TheosophyC and to ackno#led5e
alle5iance only to that -TRHT:C hi5h-seated .pon its rock of ada3antC- -alone eternal and
s.pre3e-? E)sis 2neiledC PrefaceC /.F
- W.4.S.
E5clectic TheosophistC $ay 1%C 10(2F
----------------
[21]
HIS -ABESTY3S OPPOSITION
A little lateC 6.t not too late for co33entC I find the follo#in5 #ords of Dr. Ar.ndale in
the =.ne -Theosophist-C 10"1C #hich 6rin5s forth certain reflectionsI
-There are a n.36er of 3e36ers of The Theosophical Society #ho 6y no 3eans
appro/e of the 5eneral trend of present Theosophical ideasC and there are a n.36er #ho are
profo.ndly dissatisfied #ith #hat they are pleased to call )The Adyar Policy) or so3e s.ch
si3ilar ter3. They disappro/e of 3ost of 3y o#n .tterancesC and of 3any 6ooks #hich ha/e
appeared fro3 the pens of Dr. BesantC and Bishop 1ead6eater. B.t no6ly and ri5htly they do
not resi5n. Be the task short or lon5 it is their sincere desire to p.r5e The Society of the
do3inance of the ideas of #hich they disappro/e. They re3ain 3e36ers of The Society and
carry on as they dee3 6est their o#n Theosophical #ork. They for3 for the 3o/e3entC
perhapsC if there are any ideas do3inant in The SocietyC #hich #e #ill for the ti3e 6ein5
ass.3e to 6e tr.eC :is $a;esty)s 7ppositionC if I 3ay .se the ter3C and there is ;.st as 3.ch
need for the )@o) attit.de as for the D8es) attit.deC pro/ided 6oth D@o) and D8es) are .ttered in a
spirit of Brotherhood and .nderstandin5.-
It #o.ld 6e 6etter if these rather a36i5.o.s s.55estions of Dr. Ar.ndale #ere
classified. They are 3isleadin5C as indeed they #ere intended to 6e #hen #ritten. :o#e/erC
the clarification is not likely to co3e fro3 Adyar.
The point at iss.e see3s to 3e to 6e the ter3 -7pposition-. That there is conflict in
principles is #ell kno#n to e/ery st.dent-3e36erC 6.t 3e36ers #ho read #idely and do not
depend .pon the Adyar-controlled propa5anda for Adyar are fe# and far 6et#een.
The phrase -:is $a;esty)s 7pposition- is .sed to s.55est or i3ply Adyar)s connection
#ith the I@@4R 97*4R@$4@T. !opyin5 the eBpression .sed 6y the British 43pire)s
9o/ern3ent for the opposin5 party not in po#erC Dr. Ar.ndale atte3pts to dra# an analo5y
identifyin5 Adyar #ith the +IRST S4!TI7@ of the SocietyC the AD4PT BR7T:4R:77D. A
rather #eak atte3ptC of co.rseC 6.t 3.ch 6etter than the l.dicro.s atte3pts 3ade 6y his
predecessors in the responsi6le offices. It is clearly intended to con/ey the tho.5ht of
s.pre3e a.thority - #hate/er the interpretation 3ay 6e to indi/id.al readersC or the ori5inal
intention hidden in the #riter)s 3ind.
To loyal follo#ers of the -7ri5inal Pro5ra33e-C ho#e/erC -:IS $A=4ST8- has 6.t one
3eanin5C referrin5 to the AD4PT +7H@D4R Who ass.3ed responsi6ility for the release of
>no#led5e and Who directed the #ork and policy. In other #ordsC T:4 $A:AT$A $7R8AC
Who is the I@@4R :4AD of The Theosophical $o/e3ent incl.din5 all SocietiesC 9ro.ps and
people #ho profess alle5iance to TheosophyC none other than Who3 #e ackno#led5e as o.r
A.thority and R.ler.
The i3possi6ility of reconcilin5 the t#o /ie#points sho.ld interest e/en the cas.al
reader. @o one #ith any kno#led5e of the $A:AT$A $7R8A)S #ords in :IS -1etters-C or
:IS #ords anony3o.sly printed in articlesC or :IS #ords often #ritten a6o/e :.P.B.)s
si5nat.reC co.ld e/er concei/e of 9eor5e S. Ar.ndale 6ein5 .nder :is direction. @o -pri3e
3inister- of any 9o/ern3ent is in direct opposition to the #ritten directions of his S.perior.)
There is so3e chance of .nderstandin5 an .s.rpin5 po#er #hich is at /arianceC 6.t not a
loyal -pri3e 3inister-.
The 9o/ern3ent for the $A:AT$AS does not reside at AdyarC Dr. Ar.ndale to the
contrary not#ithstandin5. The 9o/ern3ent of the AD4PTS has 6een in eBile since :.P.B.)s
depart.re fro3 Adyar. T:4IR 9o/ern3ent in eBile is #here loyal hearts still 6eat for T:4$C
#here people still cherish T:4IR #ordsC #here people still treas.re T:4IR pict.resC #here
people still seek >no#led5e Cand 4nli5hten3ent instead of the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch and
the *ir5in $aryC ad/ocated 6y the Bishop #ho leads Adyar for Ro3an !atholicis3.
9ranted that the AD4PT +7H@D4R are not the A.thority #hich has 6een referred to
6y the Doctor-BishopC or Bishop-DoctorC #ho is -:is $a;estyC- 6ehind this 9o/ern3ent at
Adyar?
@ot one of the AD4PTS #ho disa/o#ed priesthoodC rit.alC s.perstitionC 5la3orC
dependence on h.3an 6ein5s for .nchecked and .npro/ed theoriesC and do53a of any kindC
#ritten plainly for all to read in -The $ahat3a 1etters- and the -Secret Doctrine-.
1et Dr. Ar.ndale eBplain his di/er5ence fro3 the AHT:7RIT8 ackno#led5ed as -:IS
$A=4ST8-C 6y those #ho <.estion Adyar and Besant follo#ersC if he can find eBplanation.
Where 6eats one loyal heart #hich la.5hs at BishopsC there is the $A:AT$A
$7R8A)S 9o/ern3ent in 4Bile. 1et these take co.ra5e.
- Annie 1eslie Ro5er.
A.5.st 1'C 10"
- Canadian TheosophistC Sept. 1%C 10"
-----------------------------
[22]
THE <EOFF&EY HODSON CO&&ESPONDENCE
$r. S3ythe recei/ed the letter #hich follo#s fro3 $r. :odsonC and as it #as stated to
6e -a p.rely personal eBpression of opinion fro3 a fello# 3e36er- he replied to it at once in
personal ter3s. 1aterC after he had #ritten and 3ailed his letter to $r. :odsonC he learned at
the 7cto6er 4Bec.ti/e 3eetin5 that all the 3e36ers of the 4Bec.ti/e had 6een addressed 6y
$r. :odson. :e s.63itted his o#n reply as already reportedC and the 4Bec.ti/e then /oted to
send a ;oint reply to $r. :odson as #ell. Dr. Wilks also #rote a reply on his o#n 6ehalf and
representin5 Western !anada. The fo.r letters are th.s acco.nted for.
$R. :7DS7@)S 14TT4R
12 Bel/edere StreetC 4pso3C S. 4. C
A.cklandC @e# &ealand.
12th A.5.stC 10".
$y dear BrotherC
This letter co3es to yo. as a p.rely personal eBpression of opinion fro3 a fello#
3e36er of The Theosophical SocietyC @e# &ealandC to #ho3 for so3e ti3e no# yo.r
9eneral 4Bec.ti/e has 6een kind eno.5h to send the !anadian 3e36er of o.r fa3ily of
Theosophical $a5aAines. I ha/e 6een 5ratef.l for thisC for the =o.rnal so often contains
infor3ati/e articles and <.otations. I 3.st confessC ho#e/er - and this is #hy I a3 #ritin5 to
yo. - that I rarely open the #rapper #itho.t 3is5i/in5s. Al#ays the <.estion for3s in 3y
3indG #hat ne# attack and /illifications in the official state3ents #ill 3ar the pleas.re and
take a#ay 3ost of the profit #hich 3i5ht 6e deri/ed fro3 the rest of the $a5aAine? I ha/e
heard 3any others of o.r 6rethren confess to the sa3e sense of re5ret. In fact e/eryone #ho
refers to yo.r =o.rnal in 3y presence eBpresses these senti3ents.
SoC at lon5 lastC I #rite and ask yo. and yo.r fello# officers #hether in o.r !anadian
$a5aAine #e can eBpress o.r ideals and con/ictions #itho.t /illifyin5 each otherC especially
o.r 3ore pro3inent 6rethrenC past and present.
As I eBpect yo. are #ell a#areC yo.rs alone a3on5st o.r Theosophical $a5aAines
consistently prints attacks and a6.se of 6rother Theosophists. When referrin5 to fello#
3e36ersC all o.r other Theosophical $a5aAines .nfailin5ly display co.rtesy and 5ood#ill.
These 3e36ers #ho3 #e attackC to5ether #ith those 3any tho.sands of +.T.S. #ho
ha/e 6een and are inspired and ill.3ined 6y the3C think differently fro3 their !anadian
6rothers. I cannot think that #e are ;.stified in contin.in5 to a6.se the3 6eca.se of thisC to
heap scornC cal.3nyC /it.peration .pon the3 6eca.se they see Theosophy and the $asters)
#ork differently fro3 their !anadian 6rothersG for thisC it see3s to 3eC is 3ost .ntheosophical
in TheosophistsC and 3ost .n6eco3in5 in Theosophical 7fficials.
As I ha/e co3e to .nderstand th.s far in 3y Theosophical st.diesC there is notC nor
e/er can 6eC a fiBed Theosophical orthodoBy or standard of /erity 6y #hich one st.dent co.ld
sayC as #e see3 contin.ally to say in o.r !anadian =o.rnalI -$y /ie# of Theosophy is ri5htG
yo.rs is #ron5-. The rin5 of con/iction in the presentation of o.r /ie#s is al#ays accepta6leC
6.t o.r apparent contention that they alone represent tr.e Theosophy and that other /ie#s
differin5 fro3 the3 are falseC is s.rely <.ite .ntena6le. When #e add to o.r pres.3ption of
eBcl.si/e ri5htnessC personal a6.se of those #ho see Theosophy differently fro3 o.rsel/esC it
see3s to 3e that #e fall far 6elo# those ideals of tolerance and 5entleness #hich are the
3arks of a 3ind ill.3ined 6y Theosophy.
The Theosophical spiritC as I 6e5in to .nderstand itC #o.ld see3 to 6e 6etter eBpressed
in the #ords of that +rench3an #ho said in effectI -I disa5ree profo.ndly #ith #hat yo. sayC
6.t I #ill defend to the death yo.r ri5ht to say it-. 7.r !anadian attit.de #o.ld see3 to 6e
eBpressi6le in ter3s of an opposite affir3ationI -I 6oth disa5ree #ith #hat yo. sayC and deny
yo. the ri5ht to say it. +.rther3oreC for yo.r 6eliefs and .tterances I deno.nce yo. as
charlatans and traitors-.
Beca.se this is soC I #riteC firstC to protest in the stron5est possi6le ter3s a5ainst o.r
settled !anadian policyC #hich I think is fairly descri6ed in the fore5oin5C and secondC to
appeal to yo. for its co3plete re/ersal.
IfC as #o.ld not 6e .nnat.ralC yo. feel inclined to ask 3e to 3ind 3y o#n 6.sinessC I
re3ind yo. that #e are all 6rothers in this 5reat #ork #hich is one #orkC and that #e are all
inti3ately incl.ded and in/ol/ed in each other)s actions. That is partly #hy I #rite to ask that
#e in !anada desist fro3 cond.ct #hich /iolates the 6asic Theosophical principles of
toleranceC 5ood#ill and freedo3 of tho.5ht.
I 3ake this pleaC not only for the sake of all TheosophistsC 6.t also for those #ho 3i5ht
dra# near to its teachin5s. 7.r #ork is to spread Theosophy in s.ch a #ay as to appeal to
the finest 3inds. I3a5ineC if yo. #illC so3eone #hose spirit has 6een stifled and #hose
intellect has 6een fettered 6y the s.ffocatin5 #alls of do53atis3 in orthodoB reli5ionC at last
findin5 Theosophy and seein5 hope in its 6readth and freedo3 of opinion and 6elief. Then
i3a5ine the3 readin5 o.r official !anadian #ritin5sC and their .tter dis3ay in findin5 therein
the do53atic spirit of Sectarian !hristianity eBpressed in cr.de attacks .pon 6rother
Theosophists. 7f co.rse they #o.ld at once t.rn a#ay fro3 the Ancient Wisdo3. +ine 3inds
#o.ld 6e repelled 6y personal a6.se of those of different opinions. They #o.ld re5ard it as
characteristic of Theosophy and Theosophists. 8etC anythin5 3ore .ntheosophical it #o.ld 6e
diffic.lt to find. The application of the lo#est h.3an epithet to one of the +ello#s of the
Theosophical Society #ho3 tho.sands respect as their elected PresidentC and 3any deeply
re/ere as elder 6rother and teacherC canC in 3y opinionC only 6e descri6ed as infa3o.s.
7.r 6asic idea .pon #hich o.r lon5 contin.ed attacks are fo.ndedC apparently is that
there eBists a co33onC fiBed 3eas.re of tr.thC a yardstick of Theosophia concei/ed 6y .s in
!anada. All teachin5 #hich is strictly #ithin o.r conception is Theosophically ri5ht. All
teachin5 #hich is o.tside of o.r conception is Theosophically #ron5. Those for #ho3 eBtra-
!anadian /ie#s contain a 3eas.re of tr.th are -traitors to Theosophy-. Those #ho dare to
eBpress the3 are -<.islin5s- - the lo#est h.3an epithet.
S.chC 3y 6rothersC is the /ie# of the 4ternal Wisdo3 #hich #e proclai3 6y o.r lon5
contin.ed a6.se of those #ho differ fro3 .s. It isC I s.63it to yo.C staticC narro#C intolerantC
disco.rteo.s. The Theosophical ideal s.rely is to 6e dyna3icC 6roadC tolerantC and to
3aintain al#ays a royal co.rtesy.
I did hope that the onset of War and the for3in5 of the Hnited @ations #o.ld open o.r
eyes as Theosophists to the necessity for .nity in o.r endea/or to spread li5ht and to oppose
darkness. That hopeC ho#e/erC has not 6een f.lfilled. The forces of discordC destr.ction and
cal.3ny are rife in the #orld today - *ictory o/er the ABis Po#ers is in si5ht. Peace and
reconstr.ction #ill follo#. Does it not see3 to yo. of i33ense i3portance that #e
TheosophistsC #ho ha/e an .nparalleled opport.nity i33ediately 6efore .sC sho.ld 6e 6oth
peacef.l and constr.cti/e in o.r relations #ith each other? We 3ay differ har3onio.sly
concernin5 6eliefsC 6.t s.rely #e err serio.sly #hen #e initiate and 3aintain for years
i3placa6le anta5onis3 as the official policy of one Section to all others #ho hold different
/ie#s. The fact that this anta5onis3 and dis.nity is #holly one-sided and e/okes no
response in kind does not pre/ent it fro3 serio.sly i3pairin5 the possi6le .nified #orld
contri6.tion #hich Theosophy and The Theosophical Society co.ld 3ake to post-#ar
reconstr.ction. +or this reason also I a3 3akin5 this appeal to yo. all.
This sit.ation in o.r Society see3s to 3e to 6e especially .nfort.nate in those of .s
#ho are elected 1eaders in a $o/e3ent #hose first o6;ecti/e is BrotherhoodG for .nder the
5.ise of aidin5 the $o/e3ent #e are contin.ally doin5 it infinite har3. The effects of o.r
.n6rotherly tho.5hts are 6ad eno.5hC 6.t happily they are relati/ely transient. As the
4Bec.ti/e !o33ittee of a @ational Section and all its 3e36ersC o.r #ritten #ords in a
Theosophical $a5aAine ha/e a certain physical and /isi6le per3anenceC and so .nhappily
the spectacle #hich they present #ill for a ti3e end.re. In this action I fear that #e are
3akin5 Theosophical history .pon #hich f.t.re Theosophists cannot 6.t look 6ack #ith
sha3e.
ThereforeC on 6ehalf of the di5nity and fair na3e of o.r $o/e3entC I stron5ly appeal
thatC at least in o.r p.6lished #orkC #e desist fro3 s.ch .ndi5nified 6eha/io.r.
What of the recipients of o.r anta5onis3? As I ha/e #atchedC for 3any years no#C the
contin.ed attack .pon the3C I notice that those #ho3 #e cal.3niate so /ilely do not reply.
@ot 6y one #ord do they ans#er o.r a6.seC either #ith a6.se or #ith any self-defence. S.ch
letters fro3 the3 to o.r !anadian Section as are p.6lished are al#ays co.ched in ter3s of
perfect !o.rtesy. This cond.ct of theirsC in the face of lon5 contin.ed /it.peration isC I feelC a
5reat eBa3ple to each and e/ery one of .s.
As a reader of yo.r $a5aAine for 3any yearsC I ha/e 6eco3e #ell a#are of the
!anadian /ie#s. I reco5nise that in !anada #e feel a deep concern for the #elfare of The
Theosophical Society. I f.lly 6elie/e that o.r 3oti/e is to c.t do#n #hat #e re5ard as noBio.s
#eeds hinderin5 the 5ro#th of the Theosophical treeC and I #elco3e s.ch a 3oti/e. I
reco5niseC tooC 6oth the /al.e of an intelli5ent and constr.cti/e opposition and the perfect
ri5ht of each one of .s to o.r o#n opinions and 6eliefs. )t is solely against our methods that
in this letter ) protest and appeal"
We Theosophists all ha/e a ri5ht to differ fro3 each otherC and e/en to eBpress freely
yet co.rteo.sly o.r disa5ree3ent #ith doctrines and policiesG 6.t I cannot see that #e ha/e a
ri5ht to attack and /illify personsC and to attri6.te the #orst possi6le 3oti/es for their actions.
To 3y 3ind a ;.st ca.se needs no resort to cal.3ny.
All these destr.cti/e tho.5ht forces #hich #e contin.ally 5enerate and send o.t fro3
!anada cannot fail to ret.rn destr.cti/ely to o.r !anadian 1eadersC 6rethren and the #ork of
the Section as a #hole. They cannot har3 o.r 6rothers a5ainst #ho3 they are so /ir.lently
dischar5ed. They har3C not only the 5reat ca.ses of Theosophy and of decency in h.3an
cond.ctC 6.t they also har3 those of .s #ho concei/e and trans3it the3C and any others #ho
ha/e the 3isfort.ne to 6e infl.enced to ;oin .s in o.r .ntheosophical and disco.rteo.s
6eha/ior. I #rite solely for the sake of that 5reatest of !a.ses - to 6rin5 Theosophy in its
no6lest 5.ise to the 3ind and life of 3odern 3an. Is there any hope that yo. #ill henceforth
refrain fro3 contin.in5 to har3 this !a.seC that yo. #ill adopt o.r President)s splendid idealI
-To5ether tho.5h differently-?
This letter has 5ro#n to considera6le len5th. Please eBc.se this on the
5ro.nds of the deep serio.sness of the 5reat iss.es #ith #hich it deals. 4Bc.se also any
infelicities of eBpression #hich it 3ay containC and accept cordial 5reetin5s to yo. all and
e/ery 5ood #ish for the pro5ress of the #ork thro.5ho.t o.r !anadian Section.
Sincerely and fraternally yo.rsC
9eoffrey :odson
-------------
$R. S$8T:4)S 14TT4R.
T.esdayC 1"th Septe36erC 10".
$y dear BrotherC
8o. 3ake 3e a nice co3pli3ent 6y takin5 so 3.ch ti3e fro3 yo.r 6.sy life to #rite 3e
this lon5 letter of 12th A.5.stC and I #ill do 3y 6est to replyC for it is e/ident yo. are 3o/ed 6y
i3pressions recei/ed fro3 the co3pany a3on5 #hich yo. 3o/e. 7.r 3a5aAine has 6een
sent to yo. as a 3e36er of the 9eneral !o.ncil so it is p.rely an a.to3atic fa/or and yo. do
not need to feel inde6ted to anyone. That yo. open o.r #rapper #ith 3is5i/in5s is nothin5 to
#hat #e eBpect fro3 the Adyar Theosophist #hen it 3akes its irre5.lar /isits thro.5h the
dan5ers of the s.63arines. 8o. look for ne# -attacks and /illifications- fro3 .s and #e look
for ne# 3isrepresentations of the #ecret &octrineC ne# ass.3ptions of a.thorityC ne# policies
to dri/e a#ay the o.ter #orld fro3 the Ancient Wisdo3 #hich so 3.ch ener5y and effort has
6een eBpended to place 6efore the #orldC and no# so 3.ch effort has 6een eBerted to set it
in defiance of all the reli5ions and reli5io.s co33.nities of the #orld. Perhaps yo. 6elon5 to
the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC as yo. ha/e a perfect ri5ht to do. I 3yself chartered a 1od5eC the
Annie Besant 1od5eC consistin5 entirely of 1.!.!. 3e36ersC 6.t I a3 still held to 6e an
opponent of that 6ody. In any caseC can yo. not see that there is so3e reason for a
Theosophical Society settin5 .p a ne# !h.rch in opposition to all the !hristian !h.rchesC all
the :ind.C B.ddhistC $osle3 and other reli5io.s or5aniAations - 6ein5 re5arded as .nfriendly
to these earlier reli5ionsC and .nlikely to attract their sy3pathy? We profess Hni/ersal
BrotherhoodC 6.t in practice .nless yo. 6elon5 to the 1.!.!. yo. are in d.tch at Adyar. @o#
#e deno.nce that attit.deC 6.t do not do so .nless i33ediate and special ca.se 6rin5s it .p
for f.rther and rene#ed disc.ssion. I s.ppose yo. re5ard it as /illification #hen Dr. Ar.ndale
#as sti53atiAed as a <.islin5. WellC a <.islin5 is a 3an #ho considers his d.ty to a forei5n
po#er as precedent o/er his nati/e patriotis3. Dr. Ar.ndale .ndertook in speech and #ritin5
#hen elected president not to 5i/e precedence to his !h.rch /ie#sC not e/en to #ear !h.rch
e36le3s and re5aliaC in shortC to 3ake Theosophy para3o.nt. When he tells the +ello#s of
the T.S. and also 3e36ers of the Protestant !h.rches that they do not 5i/e proper re/erence
to the *ir5in $ary nor pay s.ch respect to her as the !h.rch of Ro3e doesC he is sho#in5
that he re5ards his d.ty to a forei5n po#er as para3o.nt o/er his theosophical patriotis3.
Any6ody 6.t an Adyar addict #o.ld see this. 8o. say that o.r 3a5aAine alone a3on5st
Theosophical 3a5aAines prints s.ch -attacks and a6.se.- WellC the other folk 5ot o.t of the
Adyar society to the n.36er of 122C222 since forty years a5o and ha/e 3any 3a5aAines of
their o#n #ith 6i55er circ.lations and #ider infl.ence than The TheosophistC and they stick to
the teachin5s of the $asters and the Secret Doctrine and eBert #ide infl.ence. Wo.ld yo.
preferC that #e ;oin that considera6le ar3y? We do not a6.se the tho.sands of Adyar
3e36ers #ho are hood#inked and del.ded 6y those #ho ha/e apparently 6een hood#inked
and del.ded in their t.rn. 7.r society 3otto - There is no Reli5ion hi5her than Tr.thC is one
that re<.ires discri3ination and int.itionC 6.t in order to eBerci se these fac.lties it is
necessary to ha/e 3aterial to #ork .pon.
All that #e ha/e asked in this respect is to per3it the sa3e freedo3 to st.dy The
$ahat3a 1etters and the Bla/atsky 6ooks that is afforded the #orks of later #riters. When
#e can 5et intelli5ent st.dents to read the early #orks on #hich the Society #as fo.ndedC
they al3ost in/aria6ly chan5e their 3inds and not only ad3it the s.periority of the $ahat3a
#ritin5s 6.t #onder #hy any6ody sho.ld prefer the later 6ooks.
A #hole 1od5e recently in Philadelphia #hich had 6een told they co.ld not .nderstand
The Secret DoctrineC took .p the st.dy at o.r s.55estionC they #anted to kno# at once #hy
they had 6een so decei/edC and that led to #hat yo. call /illificationC a si3ple historical
state3ent of facts co/erin5 the last half cent.ry. Why do I do this? yo. #ill ask. +or the
si3ple reason that I ha/e al#ays taken The 9olden R.le as a standard of cond.ct. If I had
6een 3isled and decei/ed I #o.ld re;oice if anyone #ith open si5ht and intelli5ence #o.ld
lead 3e to strai5ht roads and safe paths. We ha/e no o6;ection to those #ho prefer to #alk
on the de/io.s 6y#ays that 6elon5 to the sacerdotal traditions of priests and priestcraft as $r.
=inara;adasa points o.t on pa5es (-0 of his $aster)s -1etters to !.W.1.- I read e/erythin5
#itho.t pre;.dice and ha/e en;oyed so3e of yo.r o#n #ritin5s /ery 3.ch. B.t if yo. #ere
elected presidentC and I think yo. #o.ld 3ake an eBcellent oneC and insisted that the
3e36ers 3.st all 6elie/e in fairies and an5elsC I #o.ld 6e co3pelled to -/illify- yo. also. It is
all /ery #ell to say there can ne/er 6e a fiBed standard of Theosophy. That depends
alto5ether on #hat yo. 3ean 6y Theosophy. The $asters say they ha/e p.t nothin5 on
record that has not 6een tested for tho.sands of years 6y 5enerations of Adepts. When one
of 3y conte3poraries 5ets .p and contradicts so3e of these tho.sands of years) old
state3entsC #itho.t any corro6oration fro3 anyone elseC I can only 6e a3aAed at his 5allC and
proceed .to -/illify- hi3. 7f co.rse he has a perfect ri5ht to eBpress his opinion and others
ha/e the si3ilar ri5ht to 6elie/e hi3 and #orship hi3 too if that pleases the3C 6.t ha/e I no
ri5ht to eBpress 3y opinion and protect 3y friends fro3 his infl.ence if I can sho# the3 that it
is a detri3ental ele3ent? I ha/e a responsi6ility in the 3atter. I ha/e lect.red o/er 3ost of
A3erica. +or t#el/e years I #rote t#o col.3ns a #eek in a pop.lar ne#spaper #hich #ent
all o/er the #orld and #as read in the trenches d.rin5 the last #ar. $y readers and hearers
5ot #hat no one in those days disp.ted as to #hether it #as orthodoB or heterodoB. It
appealed to the co33on sense of people #ho #ere sick of pla.si6le h.36.5. It is only in
these later years that to tell the tr.th a6o.t thin5s is re5arded as /ilification. If I do not speak
the tr.th o.r col.3ns are open to any correction that 3ay 6e 3ade. I a3 not in the 6.siness
of 3.ckrakin5 nor of deception of any kind. Tolerance and 5entleness are too often the
sheep)s clothin5 #orn 6y the #ol/es a5ainst #ho3 #e ha/e 6een #arned. I #ill roar yo. as
5ently as any s.ckin5 do/e if occasion ser/eC 6.t tr.th is not al#ays 5entle nor pleasant. +ine
3inds are repelled 6y o.r coarseness? We do not find it so. People really 6elie/e that there
is no reli5ion hi5her than Tr.thC and #elco3e it in any lan5.a5e. 8o. see3 to for5et that the
Adyar Society is in a 3inority in the Theosophical $o/e3ent. The Secret Doctrine
Theosophy #hich #e ad/ocate in !anada is 6ein5 accepted 6y 3ore and 3ore tho.sands
o.tside the Adyar ranks. When I 6ar5ained #ith $rs. Besant to ret.rn to her Society in 102(
#e #ere in entire a5ree3ent as to policy. It #as she #ho chan5edG not I. B.t #e re3ained
friends. 8o. say the cal.3niated do not reply. @o do.6t they are con/inced There is no
reli5ion hi5her than Tr.th. The point of /ie# is e/erythin5 and had yo. li/ed a3on5
Theosophists since 1,," as I ha/e doneC perhaps yo. #o.ld see so3e historical reason in
#hat no# looks to yo. like infelicito.s dia5nosis of thin5s as they are. The $aster kno#s
#hat is in o.r hearts. 1ittle else 3atters. The ;.d53ents of 3en are as nothin5 6eside the
edicts of >ar3a. We all 6elon5 to the 7ne 1ife. 8o. 3ay 6e a6le to ;.d5e these iss.es lon5
after I ha/e passed a#ay. 8o. 3ay .nderstand then #ho took the hi5h road and #ho took the
lo# road. B.t at least yo. #ill kno# that #e are all Brothers and ser/e accordin5 to o.r
#isdo3. !ordially and fraternally yo.rsC
- Al6ert 4. S. S3ythe.
P.S. I see yo. ha/e l.red 3e into 3isspellin5 /ilification. Shall I then say -4/il
co33.nicationsC etc.C etc?- 7r #o.ld yo. re5ard that as a6.se?
----------
T:4 94@4RA1 4Q4!HTI*4 14TT4R
Sat.rdayC 1'th 7cto6erC 10".
$r. 9eoffrey :odsonC
12 Bel/edere StreetC 4pso3C S.4.C
A.cklandC @e# &ealand.
Dear Brother :odsonC
7.r 9eneral 4Bec.ti/e held a re5.lar 3eetin5 on S.nday afternoonC 7cto6er rdC at
#hich the chief topic of disc.ssion #as the letter yo. had sent to each of the 3e36ers. It #as
resol/ed to reply to yo. ;ointly in a letter to 6e dra#n .p 6y the 9eneral Secretary e36odyin5
points s.55ested 6y the 3e36ersC the letter to 6e s.63itted to and appro/ed 6y the3. It #as
first 3o/ed to endorse 3y personal letter to yo.C 6.t this #as #ithdra#n in fa/or of the 3otion
for a ;oint letter #ith 5eneral appro/al of 3ine.
It #as felt that yo.r letter #as a propa5anda doc.3ent intended 6y its eBa55erations
and indiscri3inate char5es of cr.de attacksC a6.seC /ilificationC scornC cal.3nyC and
/it.perationC to i3press readers #ho #o.ld ne/er hear the other side of the caseC 6.t #o.ld
re3ain in i5norance of the real reason for o.r protests. In the one case yo. cite of -personal
a6.seC- the application of the epithet -<.islin5- to Dr. Ar.ndaleC #e 3ay re3ark he is the only
person in The Theosophical Society to #ho3 it co.ld 6e appliedC as he is the only person
end.ed #ith presidential a.thority #ith po#er to .se it orC as #e 6elie/e he has doneC to
3is.se it. A P.islin5 is one #hoC entr.sted #ith the 5.idance of a nationC .ses his po#er to
f.rther the ca.se of his nation)s ene3ies. The Ro3an !atholic !h.rch has 6anned the
Theosophical SocietyC placed its literat.re on the IndeB 4Bp.r5atori.sC for6idden its 3e36ers
to attend o.r 3eetin5sC and sho#n itself entirely hostile to o.r #ork. 8et in face of this Dr.
Ar.ndale 6erates the Protestant !h.rches for not follo#in5 the eBa3ple of the Ro3an
!atholic !h.rch in #orshipin5 the *ir5in $aryC and eBhorts the 3e36ers of The Theosophical
Society to adopt this do53a of the *atican and do honor to the -P.een of :ea/en.-
It is a 3eas.re of the 5ra/e chan5e in the character of the 3e36ers of the Society that
no protest 6.t that of the !anadian @ational Society has 6een heard. We co33end to the
3e36ersC and to Dr. Ar.ndale hi3self the nota6le state3ent of the President of !hinaC
!hian5 >ai-ShekC in his ina.5.ral address to his peopleI -If I sho.ld e/er trans5ress the li3it
of 3y po#erC it is the d.ty of e/ery citiAen to cens.re and correct 3e.- Apparently Dr.
Ar.ndale resents s.ch cens.reC and his friends confir3 hi3 in this.
7.r !onstit.tion #as appro/ed 6y the 9eneral !o.ncil in 1010 after nearly a year)s
consideration. -@o 3e36er of the Theosophical Society shall pro3.l5ate or 3aintain any
doctrine as 6ein5 that ad/anced and ad/ocated 6y the Society.- That is Article *. !la.se /ii.
#hich Dr. Ar.ndale has /iolated. As #e ha/e fre<.ently statedC he has a perfect ri5htC if he
#ishesC to hold s.ch /ie#s and eBpress the3 personallyC 6.t he has no ri5ht to 5i/e the
i3pressionC as he has doneC that the Theosophical Society a5rees #ith hi3. If the 9eneral
!o.ncil #ere not so s.pineC he #o.ld hear f.rther protests.
At the sa3e ti3e #e 3.st sec.re the personal li6erty of o.r 3e36ers. Article III.
!la.se iii. of o.r !onstit.tion 3aintains this. -4/ery 3e36er has the ri5ht to 6elie/e or
dis6elie/e in any reli5io.s syste3 or philosophyC and to declare s.ch 6eliefs or dis6eliefs
#itho.t affectin5 his standin5 as a 3e36er of the SocietyC each 6ein5 re<.ired to sho# that
toleration of the opinions of others #hich he eBpects for his o#n.- The .ndo53atic 3ind has
no diffic.lty a6o.t thisC and #e do not need *oltaire to 5.ide .s either. It is only since the
parasitic policy of the -1i6eral !atholic !h.rch- has s.cceeded in penetratin5 the SocietyC so
that no other reli5io.s syste3 has anythin5 like e<.al ri5hts accorded to itC that any diffic.lty
has arisen.
8o. state that there can 6e no -fiBed standard of /erity.- That is a pla.si6le #ay of
side-steppin5 the 3otto of the Society. We need not 5o into the detailsC 6.t yo. kno#C and #e
kno#C and e/ery6ody kno#s that the Adyar Society .nder Dr. Ar.ndale holds /ie#s of tr.th
different fro3 those held .nder !olonel 7lcott. All #e ask is the sa3e freedo3 in all the
1od5es to st.dy the Theosophy ta.5ht in The $ahat3a 1etters and The Secret Doctrine that
#as en;oyed .p till 102'. 8o. 3.st ad3it that #hen an e3issary of the 4soteric Section can
co3e into a 1od5e and tell the 3e36ers that The $ahat3a 1etters are not TheosophyC a
chan5e has occ.rred. 8o. repeat that #e are .na6le to say #hat is Theosophy. B.t #e can
certainly assert #hat Theosophy is not. People 3ay differ a6o.t the t#ili5htC 6.t there is no
difference of opinion a6o.t li5ht and darkness .nless a3on5 the 6lind.
7ne of yo.r state3ents isI -In this action I fear that #e are 3akin5 Theosophical
history .pon #hich f.t.re Theosophists cannot 6.t look 6ack #ith sha3e.- There is little
do.6t a6o.t thisC 6.t the sha3e #ill 6e not for #hat yo. 3ean. It #ill 6e for those thin5s
a6o.t #hich all disc.ssion or reference is s.ppressed in the :itler 3annerC episodes #hich
Adyar dee3s it eBpedient not e/en to ha/e 3entioned. 8o. do not yo.rself 5i/e any
eBa3ples of the alle5ed cr.de attacksC a6.seC /ilificationC scornC cal.3nyC and /it.peration
#hich yo. profess to find in o.r protests. We contin.e to 6e +.T.S.C and tho.5h yo. -#ill
defend till the death o.r ri5ht to speak- in #hat Adyar ;o.rnals are o.r /ie#s allo#ed to
appear. 7ne eBception 3ay 6e 3entioned - the ann.al report of the 9eneral SecretaryC 6.t
#here else are the ca.ses of o.r differences allo#ed to appear? It is /ery #ell to sayC as yo.
doC that #e are -staticC narro#C intolerantC disco.rteo.sC- 6.t yo. do not 5i/e eBa3ples of
these offencesC so that #e 3i5ht i3pro/e o.r 3anners.
8o. say that o.r 6asic idea is -a co33on fiBed 3eas.re of tr.thC a yardstick of
Theosophia.- If yo. 3ean 6y this o.r co33endation of The Secret Doctrine as a s.6;ect of
st.dyC #e can only #onder if yo. ha/e e/er read the 6ookC or if yo. ha/e a cos3ic yard
3eas.re that 6ears no relation to 3.ndane affairs.
We are not conscio.s of cal.3niatin5 anyone .nless the state3ent of historic facts
co3es .nder that head. It 3ay see3 #ise to yo. not to reply to the testi3ony of historic
facts. :istory sho#s that the descent of all 5reat 3oral and spirit.al 3o/e3ents has 6e5.n
6y the introd.ction of sacerdotal infl.ence and the eBaltation of do53atic 6elief to the
displace3ent of reliance on 3an)s o#n latent di/ine and de/elopin5 po#er. 7n the 6asis of
the latter #e can carry on -to5etherC tho.5h differentlyC- 6.t on the 6asis of the for3er #e can
only de5enerate into a staticC narro# and intolerant sect. 8o. can look .p the history of
si3ilar 3o/e3ents in the pastC and decide #hether yo. can arri/e at any other concl.sion. If
yo. #ant an eBa3ple of #hat is -staticC narro# and intolerant- yo. only need to 5o to the
*atican. The 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch has esta6lished a 6rid5e-head in The Theosophical
Society. This pleases Dr. Ar.ndale /ery 3.ch. What he #ill do #ith it is indicated 6y the
ad/ice he 5a/e to the 3e36ers of the Society and the Protestant !h.rches concernin5 the
*ir5in $ary. :e is a lon5 #ay fro3 the Preface to the second /ol.3e of -Isis Hn/eiled.-
+raternally yo.rsC
ESi5nedF +eliB A. BelcherC W.A. 9riffithsC
$a.d 4. !rafterC 4.1. Tho3sonC D.W. BarrC 9.I. >in3anC Al6ert 4.S. S3ytheC W.4. Wilks.
The 9eneral 4Bec.ti/eC T.S. in !anada
--------
DR. WI1>S) 14TT4R
,2% $edical Dental Bld5.C *anco./erC B.!.C
+ridayC 7ct. 20thC 10".
Dear $r. :odsonI -
I #as 5lad to recei/e yo.r letterC as in spite of the plain speakin5 in o.r !anadian
Theosophist #hich yo. deplore as /ilification and /it.perationC it is <.ite clear that yo. ha/e
failed to 5rasp the reasons for o.r attit.de and #hat it is o.r endea/or to do.
8o. ask .sC in the na3e of that Brotherhood to #hich #e all s.6scri6eC and for the sake
of a 6etter and #ider .nderstandin5 of Theosophy #hich #e all desireC to 6e Dkind)C D5entle)
and Dtolerant) in o.r eBpressions of disa5ree3ent #ith so3e othersC especially the 1eaders
past and present of the Theosophical Society. WhatC it #o.ld see3C co.ld 6e fairerC #hat
3ore reasona6le than this si3ple re<.est?
1ea/in5 all 3inor points in yo.r letter asideC I #ill try to eBplain o.r attit.deC and #hen I
ha/e finishedC if I s.cceed in 3akin5 3yself clearC I shall 6e s.rprised if yo. do not declare
that o.r fa.lt lies in not 6ein5 s.fficiently o.tspokenC in 6ein5 too 3ealy-3o.thedC and that #e
sho.ld not only call a spade a spadeC 6.t a 6loody sho/elC if that #ill help to ri5ht so 5reat a
#ron5.
@o# to 3y eBplanation of the attit.de #hich yo. deplore and think co.ld 6e ri5hted 6y
a little kindnessC etc. 8o. ha/e heard of the Pearl of 5reat priceC #hich once a 3an kno#s of
itC he #ill sell all he has to try and possess it. WellC a half cent.ry or so a5o there #ere those
#ho redisclosed this Pearl for all 3en to see. It #as a Pearl of 5reat p.rity and a.stere
6ea.tyC and possessed the .ni<.e po#er of healin5 all so.ls #hich 5aAed lon5 and ardently
.pon it.
Soon the ti3e ca3e for those in char5e of the Pearl to 5o henceC and they 5a/e the
5.ardianship of it into the hands of so3e others #ho #ere char5ed to keep it a/aila6le to c.re
the spirit.al 6lindness of all #ho desired si5ht. These othersC dissatisfied #ith the n.36er of
#orshipers of the PearlC 3ade an artificial pearlC lar5er and scintillatin5 #ith colors of all kinds
to attract the eyes of its #orshipers. With its 5la3or of 3any-colored li5hts. 1ar5e n.36ers
#ere attracted and 5reat #as its reno#nC and the real Pearl 6eyond price #as for5otten 6y all
6.t a fe# #ho had not 6een decei/ed 6y the s.6stit.tion.
S.pposin5 all this had happenedC #o.ld those #ho kne# of the s.6stit.tion not 6e ri5ht
in .sin5 e/ery 3eans in their po#er to sho# .p the fra.d and deno.nce those 5.ilty of its
perpetrationC and #o.ld yo. ad/ise the3 in the na3e of Brotherhood to 6e kindC 5entleC and
tolerantC to#ard this 5reat #ron5 #hich had 6een done? To#ard #ho3 sho.ld they eBercise
these <.alitiesC to the #ron5-doers or to those depri/ed 6y the3 of that #hich is a6o/e all
price?
WellC 3y friendC that isC in the 3inds of 3any st.dents of Theosophy in !anadaC eBactly
#hat has happened in the T.S.C and if yo. ha/e read the !anadian Theosophist as yo. see3
to i3plyC yo. sho.ld kno# it. PerhapsC tho.5hC yo. think this pict.re is o/erdra#nC
eBa55eratedC falseC or entirely #itho.t tr.th? 1et .s see. Books ha/e 6een #ritten sho#in5
the 6etrayal of TheosophyC 6.t I #ill rapidly sketch so3e of the hi5h li5hts of the history of the
T.S. since the death of :.P. Bla/atsky to re3ind yo. of the thin5s yo. 3.st kno# /ery #ell.
It #as a6o.t 102,C #hen !.W. 1ead6eaterC the e/il 5eni.s of the T.S.C #as in/ited 6ack
into the Society fro3 #hich he had 6een forced to resi5n so3e years earlierC and 3ostC if not
allC the #eird 3onstrosities s.6se<.ently foisted .pon the Society are ascri6ed to his
in/enti/e po#ers. The first of these #as an Ad/entist 3o/e3ent. The second co3in5 of
!hrist #as proclai3ed. +or fifteen years 3ost of the ener5y of the Society #as spent in
eBpectation and preparation for the co3in5 of the !hrist #ho #o.ld inha6it the 6ody of
>rishna3.rti and thro.5h hi3 teach the #orld. In 1012C $rs. Besant)s fa3o.s !on/ention
lect.re in 1ondon #as entitledC The Coming Christ" The 1eaders anno.nced that the -World
Teacher- #o.ld ha/e as 6efore his t#el/e disciplesC and a6o.t se/en #ere act.ally chosenC of
co.rse fro3 a3on5st those 3ost pro3inent in the SocietyG o.r present President #as one of
the3. This 5hastly farce #as 6roken .p 6y >rishna3.rti hi3self after the World Teacher #as
declared to ha/e taken o/er his personality. :e rep.diated the 3o/e3ent and dis6anded the
#hole or5aniAation 6.ilt aro.nd hi3C since #hen he and the Theosophical Society
ha/e 5one their /ery separate #ays. :.P.B. after re/ie#in5 so3e of the prepostero.s
Ad/entist 3o/e3ents of the past opti3istically eBpressed the pio.s hope that -S.rely no# #e
ha/e seen the last of the $essiah craAe-. B.t alas? @ot 3.ch 3ore than a co.ple of decades
later her Society had a $essiah craAe of its o#n in f.ll s#in5.
@eBt in i3portance a3on5 the 3onstrosities hatched o.t 6y the 1eaders #as a ne#
!h.rch co3plete #ith Bishops and Priests. :atched o.t .nder /ery shady circ.3stances itC
.nfort.natelyC pro/ed no a6ortion Elike 3ost 3onstrositiesF 6.t contin.es to li/e and flo.rish in
close relation #ith 3ost of o.r lod5es. :.P. Bla/atsky and her co-#orkers fo.5ht .nre3ittin5ly
a5ainst reli5io.s s.perstition and priestcraftC and the $ahat3as in their letters to Sinnett and
:.3e 3ake it perfectly clear that in their opinionC sacerdotalis3 is 6y far the 5reatest e/il
#hich afflicts 3ankind. 8etC s.ch #as the ad.lation of the Ddear 1eaders) and so s.re #ere
they of the 6lind loyalty of the 3e36ersC that the .tter incon5r.ity of a Church sponsored 6y
the T.S. did not pre/ent the3 fro3 offerin5 this cro#nin5 ins.lt to the +o.nders of the Society.
@o lon5er need the 3e36ers stri/e 6y -self-ind.ced and self-de/ised effort- to reach the
1i5htG no lon5er need they c.lti/ate the po#er of Self-reliance in order to a#aken the Di/inity
#ithin. Priestly 3.33ery #ill .nt#ist the ether of their sinsC #hilst Bishops #ill po.r do#n
spirit.al li5ht fro3 a6o/e .pon their s.63issi/e heads.
This tra/esty of TheosophyC the 5reatest i3a5ina6le to the 3ind of 3anC thro/e and still
thri/es thro.5ho.t the T.S. #hich #as created to 6rin5 TheosophyC the /ery antithesis of thisC
to the attention of 3en.
7f co.rse yo. kno# all this as #ellC or far 6etter than I doC 6.t I 3.st 5o on to eBplain
#hy #e find it a little diffic.lt to take yo. serio.sly #hen yo. ask .s to deal 5entlyC kindlyC and
tolerantlyC #ith the people #ho did these thin5s and in doin5 the3 3ade Theosophy and the
T.S.C a thin5 of scornf.l 3erri3ent thro.5ho.t the #hole #orld. If anyone had #ished to
destroy the /al.e of the T.S.C and keep Theosophy fro3 the #orldC they co.ld ha/e fo.nd no
6etter #ay than this that #as act.ally .sed.
@eBt in order in this descendin5 scaleC I 3i5ht 3ention the World $otherC the 9reat
76stetrician on the inner planesC #ho enso.led and I s.ppose still doesC the personality of
R.k3iniC Bishop Ar.ndale)s char3in5 #ifeG and then there #as the ->in5 of the World- #hose
orders $rs. Besant sole3nly and portento.sly passed on to asse36led 3e36ersC and also
there #as the =a5at 9.r.. A World TeacherC a World $otherC a >in5 of the WorldC a =a5at
9.r.G this .n6elie/a6le collection of hi5h-so.ndin5 titles of persons of cos3ic i3portanceC
E#hich one #o.ld think co.ld only ha/e escaped fro3 so3e .np.6lished 3.sical co3edy 6y
9il6ert and S.lli/anFC these prepostero.s in/entions #ere ea5erly and #ith proper a#e
accepted 6y the 3e36ers #itho.t serio.s <.estion or criticis3.
All this is history #hich I 6.t recall to yo.r attention. It is an open 6ook for anyone to
st.dy #ho cares to do soC and is #ell kno#n to all #ho are not ne#-co3ers to the T.S.
B.t no# I 3.st deal #ith 3atters #hich are not 3ere state3ents of historical fact a6o.t
#hich there can 6e hardly t#o opinionsC 6.t 3atters of teachin5 and its infl.ence .pon the
3e36ers. Altho.5h not so o6/io.s as the fore5oin5C this infl.ence has 6een e/en 3ore
de/astatin5 in its effects .pon the 3inds and so.ls of the 3e36ers s.6;ected to itC as I shall
sho#. I kno# it is 3aintained 6y 3any in the T.S. that @eo-Theosophy - 6y #hich I 3ean the
teachin5 e/ol/ed 6y the leaders of the Society sinceC let .s sayC :.P.B.)s death - is 6.t an
a3plification of the ori5inal teachin5. This state3ent is often 3ade 6.t it is not tr.e. If #e
reser/e the na3e Theosophy for the ori5inal teachin5C then Theosophy and @eo-Theosophy
are in direct conflict in inn.3era6le i3portant 3atters. +or a co3parison in parallel col.3ns
3ay I refer yo. to a 6ook 6y $ar5aret Tho3as on this s.6;ect. Anyone #ho 3aintains these
t#o teachin5s are the sa3e in essentials has 5one no farther than to co3pare the
ter3inolo5y .sed 6y 6oth. I #ill cite t#o i3portant and easily /erifia6le instances of this
conflict. The $ahat3as and :.P.B.C their A5entC #ent to considera6le tro.6le to destroy the
idea of an Anthropo3orphic 9od. B.t @eo-TheosophyC as yo. kno#C lost no ti3e in re/ertin5
to a 6elief in a personal 9odC re3arka6le as of old for his eBtraordinary #illin5ness to 6e
s.6orned 6y prayer and s.pplication.
The other instance I choose 6eca.se it is clear c.t and easily /erifia6le. If one
co3pares #hat the $ahat3as ha/e to say in -The 1etters- re5ardin5 the states of h.3an
conscio.sness after death and #hat :.P.B. says a6o.t this s.6;ect in the >ey to TheosophyC
#ith the /ol.3ino.s #ritin5s on the sa3e s.6;ect in @eo-Theosophical literat.reC it is /ery
e/ident that a contradiction eBists 6et#een the3. In the for3er it is eBplained that after deathC
#ith a /ery fe# specified eBceptionsC 3an lacks entirely o6;ecti/e selfconscio.sness and li/es
in a p.rely s.6;ecti/e state. :e is c.t off fro3 all ne# o.tside eBperience and is locked .p
#ith the content of his o#n 3ind and 3e3oriesC and this contin.es all thro.5h the 1okas and
De/achanC .ntil 6y re6irth a ne# physcial 6ody is o6tained. This teachin5 is in sharp contrast
#ith the teachin5 of @eo-Theosophy #hich depicts 3an as 5oin5 a6o.t on the Astral plane
li/in5 his life and contactin5 others 3.ch as he did 6efore death on earth. This a5rees #ith
the pict.re 5i/en 6y the Spirit.alists #ith their happy -S.33erland-C 6.t is in co3plete conflict
#ith the teachin5 of Theosophy. 4ither Theosophy or @eo-Theosophy 3ay 6e the Tr.thC 6.t
certainly 6oth cannot 6e.
I a5ree #ith yo. #hen yo. say there can 6e no fiBed Theosophical orthodoBy or
standard of /erityC and so on. B.t #e can sayC -This is #hat Theosophy teaches-C for the
+o.nders of Theosophy left .s a /ery definite doctrineC <.ite clear at least as to essentials.
Any teachin5 #hich .n3istaka6ly conflicts #ith thisC cannot 6e a 3ere a3plification of the
ori5inal teachin5C Theosophy. +or the last <.arter of a cent.ry any /ie# or teachin5 p.t
for#ard #ith a little a.thoritati/e 6ackin5 fro3 Adyar has 6een called TheosophyC no 3atter
ho# 3.ch it conflicts #ith the ori5inal teachin5. This is the ca.se of 5reat conf.sion and
leads st.dents to think that teachin5s the /ery opposite of Theosophy ha/e the a.thority
#hich association #ith the +o.nders of the Theosophical $o/e3ent 5i/es the3. 4/ery
st.dent has to decide the tr.th or other#ise of any 3atter of /ital concern to hi3. :e accepts
no a.thorityG ho#e/er hi5hC as concl.si/e. The final a.thority 3.st 6e his o#n intelli5ence
and discri3ination. This is not to say that he has no .se for a.thoritiesC far other#iseG and he
#ill accept as pro6a6ly tr.e state3ents fro3 a.thorities accordin5 as he has fo.nd the3
relia6le in other 3atters he has 6een a6le to check on.
The ad.lation of the 1eaders of the SocietyC #hich they per3itted and enco.ra5edC and
the 5reat clai3s #hich they 3ade for the3sel/es or one an-otherC or allo#ed to 6e 3ade in
their 6ehalfC 5a/e the3 an a.thoritati/e standin5 #ith the 3e36ersC #hich co36ined #ith the
co3plete atrophy of the critical fac.lty a3on5st the 3e36ersC 3ade possi6le the ea5er
accceptance thro.5ho.t the Society of fantastic 3o/e3entsC teachin5s and ideas s.ch as I
ha/e descri6ed. 4/ent.ally there #as literally nothin5 too a6s.rd for the 3e36ers to s#allo#C
if it 6.t ca3e as the a.thoritati/e prono.nce3ent of the 1eaders.
+inallyC let .s en<.ire #hat #as the effect of all this .pon the 3inds and so.ls of the
3e36ers of the T.S.? TheosophyC and indeed all spirit.al philosophies do#n the a5es teach
.nani3o.sly that the one thin5 a6o/e all others #hich stands in the #ay of 3an)s spirit.al
a#akenin5 is 45ois3C Self-lo/eC #hich takes so 3any and /aried for3sC 6ea.tif.l for3s as
#ell as .5ly. And the 5reatest 5ood that can happen to any 3an is that he #ears do#nC
.nder3inesC and e/ent.ally attacks and .tterly destroys the D9iant Weed) in his so.l - the
sense of SeparatenessC the o6session of Self.
A spirit.al appeal or teachin5 has this characteristic that al#ays in one #ay or another
it 3akes its appeal to that 5er3inal part of 3an #hich is a6o/e considerations of personal
i3portanceC 5rande.r and personal po#erC that part #hich tho.5h it lacks the po#er to carry
the3 o.tC sees and responds to the eternal /alidity of i3personal /al.es. !o3pare this #ith
the inescapa6le appeal to personal a55randiAe3ent #hich per3eated all sections of the T.S.
This pernicio.s infl.ence started #ith the 1eaders #ho clai3ed to 6e on the Dthreshold of
Di/inity) and in possession of 3ar/elo.s clair/oyant and spirit.al po#ers. The ad.lation
#hich attended the3 approached #orshipG their prono.nce3ents #ere re5arded as
practically infalli6le. -That po#er #hich the disciple shall co/et is that #hich shall 3ake hi3
appear as nothin5 in the eyes of 3en- #as for5ottenC and personal a55randiAe3ent reached
.nheard of hei5hts. Books s.ch as D1i/es of Alcyone) and D$anC :o#C Whence and Whither)
descri6ed the past li/es of pro3inent 3e36ers as kno#n o.tstandin5 historical charactersC as
relations of the $ahat3asC or of the 1eadersG all calc.lated to play .pon the /anity and 5i/e
self-i3portance to those 3entioned. This #hole thin5 #o.ld ha/e 6een i33ediately sta3ped
as a ridic.lo.s farceC an o6/io.s i3post.re 6y any sane 5ro.p of people. B.t the 3e36ersC
trained in the 5reatness and infalli6ility of the 1eadersC trained in 6lind loyalty to the3C allo#ed
their sane critical fac.lties to fall into a6sol.te a6eyanceG and a sa/in5 sense of h.3or
cannot lon5 li/e in s.ch an at3osphere. Initiates spran5 .p o/er ni5ht Ethey #ere initiated in
their sleepF a3on5 the fa/oredC and e/en co33on 3e36ers #ere told that they #ere acti/e
in sleep as DIn/isi6le :elpers) on the Astral plane. =.st to 6eco3e a 3e36er c.t one off fro3
the co33on cro#d and placed one in a special relation #ith the $asters. 4/erythin5 #as
doneC it #o.ld see3C #hich co.ld 6e done to destroy the inherent sanity and to infla3e the
self-i3portance of e/ery 3e36er of the Society.
I ha/e said nothin5 of the 4.S.C an D4soteric) or5aniAation #ithin e/ery lod5eC its
3e36ers the electC 6o.nd in 6lind loyalty to the 1eaders and al#ays secretly in the kno#
a6o.t thin5s #hich ordinary 3e36ers #ere said to 6e not s.fficiently de/eloped to 6e told.
!o.ld anythin5 3ore fiendish than all this #hich 6efell the hapless T.S.C 6e de/ised to destroy
the Society as a spirit.al or5aniAation and as a /ehicle for the spread of the spirit.al li5ht for
3ankindC called in this a5e Theosophy.
8o. say in yo.r letterC -7.r #ork is to spread Theosophy in s.ch a #ay as to appeal to
the finest 3inds-. I3a5ine if yo. #illC any 3at.re indi/id.al #ho has read or heard of
Theosophy and #ho thinks D$ay6e these people )ha/e so3ethin5) co3in5 to a typical lod5e
of the T.S. and 6ein5 told 6y the 3e36ers in their si3ple enth.sias3 of their 3ar/ello.s
1eaders of the co3in5 of !hrist a5ain in the person of one of their 3e36ers as the World
TeacherC and of ho# they 5o o.t at ni5ht on the Astral plane to help the deadC and so on. Do
yo. think that s.ch an indi/id.al #o.ld not pro3ptly take his Dfinest 3ind) to a less farcical
en/iron3ent? The tr.th isC that the T.S. has in itself erected an al3ost ins.r3o.nta6le 6arrier
6et#een the Dfinest 3inds) and Theosophy.
The history of the hapless T.S. 3akes a #eird and fantastic story #hich 6e55ars the
i3a5ination and strains cred.lity to the .t3ost. In the short space of fifty yearsC the life 5i/in5
tr.ths this Society #as or5aniAed to proclai3 ha/e 6een t#isted and distorted into their /ery
oppositesC its a.stere /al.es ha/e either 6een lost in a #elter of psychis3 or ha/e 6eco3e
sicklied o/er #ith 3a#kish senti3entC #hilst its spirit.ality has 6eco3e tainted #ith the 3arket
place. So fittin5ly eno.5h today #e find a BishopC - yes a !atholic Bishop seated in the
Presidential chair of the Society :.P.B. 5a/e her life to fo.nd. 8et this is nothin5 other than
has 6een the fateC sooner or laterC of e/ery 5reat spirit.al teachin5.
There is a la#C it is saidC that e/ery effort to 6rin5 1i5ht into h.3an life is 3et 6y a
co.nter effort fro3 the +orces of Darkness to destroy it. !ertain it is that anyone #ho
/ent.res to 6eco3e a 1i5ht-6rin5er does so at his perilC for e/ery chink in his ar3orC e/ery
#eakness in his characterC #ill 6e pro6ed 3ercilessly to find a 3eans to 6rin5 hi3 do#n fro3
his hi5h resol/e. And so it isC .ntil #e can prod.ce a fe# indi/id.als in e/ery 5eneration #ho
are stron5 eno.5h to esta6lish and 3aintain a spirit.al teachin5 in its p.rityC s.ch efforts as
the T.S. 3.st re3ain in the 3ain fail.res. +e# thin5s thereforeC to the st.dent of Theosophy
can 6e 3ore i3portant than a clear .nderstandin5 of the 3eans .sed and the psycholo5ical
forces in/ol/ed in destroyin5 3ost that #as of 5reatest /al.e in the T.S. +or .ntil the st.dentC
as the res.lt of ha/in5 6een fooledC decei/ed o/er and o/er a5ainC learns to .se his
intelli5ence and distin5.ish the tr.e fro3 the falseC the real fro3 the .nrealC - the Pearl of
5reat price fro3 its i3itations he can 6e nothin5 3ore than part of the 5reat 3ass of dead
#ei5ht lia6ility #hich has to 6e carried in any spirit.al 3o/e3ent #ith an open 3e36ership.
There is one other 3atter that see3s to need clarification. Those #hoC like yo.rselfC
resent and o6;ect to plainC or if yo. prefer itC harsh criticis3 of indi/id.als #ho ha/e p.t
the3sel/es for#ard as 1eaders and Teachers in the T.S.C re5ard s.ch criticis3 as personal
attack. It sho.ld 6e clearly .nderstood that pri/ate indi/id.als and ordinary 3e36ers ha/e a
perfect ri5ht to any opinion they like to hold or eBpressG 6.t the 3o3ent anyone p.ts hi3self
for#ard as a spirit.al leader or teacher his opinions 6eco3e the concern of e/eryone
in/ol/edC for he is there to lead or 3islead others and his opinions and actions are no lon5er
his pri/ate concern. S.rely this 3.st 6e perfectly clear.
And no#C 3y friendC that I ha/e told yo. as 6est I can #hy #e feel intolerant of this
fra.d and s.6stit.tion and sho# it .p in no D>ind and 9entle) 3anner #hene/er #e canC #hyC
3ay I in t.rn askC is it that yo. #ho 3.st kno# all this are not .sin5 yo.r opport.nities to point
o.t the tr.e fro3 the falseC the real fro3 the i3itationC for s.rely there is nothin5 that 3atters
half so 3.ch.
8o.rs fraternallyC
W.4. WilksC 7rphe.s 1od5eC T.S.
- Canadian TheosophistC @o/. 1%C 10"
----------------------
[2*]
HO6 TO SCUA&E THE TEACHIN<S
Place has 6een 5i/en to $r. Sinnett)s ad3ira6ly #ritten article -4soteric Teachin5- for
t#o 5ood reasonsI firstC 6eca.se he re<.ested its p.6licationC and secondC 6eca.se the
the3e is eBcellent and the ti3e propitio.s. B.t 6y its appearance the PAT: is not 6o.nd to
the concl.sions of the learned a.thor.
Ro.5hly s.33ariAin5 the history of the recr.descence of the teachin5 of the 1od5e for
this cent.ryC #e find :. P. B. p.6licly 6e5innin5 itC tho.5h 5.ardedlyC in )sis 2neiled as herself
the 3essen5er of the real Teachers 6ehind. At that ti3e L1,(%M she 5a/e pri/ate teachin5s a
in A3erica to certain persons. Then in India in the TheosophistC #ith :. P. B. as editorC it
proceeds to f.rther .nfoldin5 in articles entitled -+ra53ents of 7cc.lt Tr.th-. It is a pity this
na3e #as not preser/ed and .sed for the 6ook #hich the -+ra53ents- after#ards 6eca3e -
5soteric Buddhism. 1ater the .ccult 8orld ca3e o.t in 1,,"C and also 5soteric Buddhism.
D.rin5 all this ti3e :. P. B. #as doin5 her o#n #ork #ith othersC eBplainin5 the sa3e
philosophy as #as 5i/en to $r. SinnettC and contri6.ted to literat.re the *ey to Theosophy
and the #ecret &octrine. The facts - not denied 6y $r. Sinnett or anyone - is that the letters
fro3 the $asters fro3 #hich the 3atter for 5soteric Buddhism #as taken ca3e in the 3ain
thro.5h :. P. B.C for altho.5h it is tr.e she -sho#ed s.rprise- to $r. Sinnett on seein5 certain
thin5s co33.nicated to hi3 in letters fro3 the $astersC the s.rprise #as not at teachin5s
#hich #ere ne# to herC 6.t s.rprise that they #ere di/.l5ed at allC for she kne# the teachin5C
inas3.ch as she ta.5ht it .nder pled5e as far 6ack as fro3 1,(% to 1,(, in A3erica.
-----------
O $oreo/erC a considera6le part of the philosophy eBpo.nded 6y $r. Sinnett #as ta.5ht
in A3erica 6efore Isis 2neiled #as p.6lished to t#o 4.ropeans and to 3y collea5.eC !ol.
7lcott. - #ecret &octrineC /ol. iC p. BiB.
----------
In her #ecret &octrineC a/ailin5 herself of the sa3e teachers to #ho3 she introd.ced
$r. SinnettC she corrected t#o errors into #hich she said he had fallenC i"e.C respectin5
De/achan and o.r co3panion planets. It is a perfectly .nthinka6le proposition to say that she
#as not ad/ised 6y the $asters #hen #ritin5 the #ecret &octrine. I #ho sa# 3any of the
$asters) letters in 1,,, in reference to the #ecret &octrine certainly cannot 5i/e .p the
e/idence of 3y inner and o.ter senses. I kno# as s.rely as I kno# any fact that the sa3e
teachers #ere 5i/in5 her in 1,,( and 1,,,C as 6eforeC infor3ation for that 6ookC in 6lack .pon
#hiteC and I a3 certain they dictated the corrections 5i/en in #ecret &octrine .pon the points
no# 6efore .s. 4/idenceC eye-si5htC and tradition confir3 itC for in 1,(' to 1,(, I #as 5i/en
6y her the sa3e theories and the cl.e to the 3is.nderstandin5 #hich a desire for consistency
as to 3ere #ords has no# aro.sed.
4/en in 1,,, it #as not the time to 3ake the point precisely clear to the p.6lic. Ti3es
ha/e r.le in occ.lt teachin5 3ore than 3ost readers - or #riters - of theosophical 6ooks
s.spect. B.t the cl.e #as 5i/enC a 6road hint #as thro#n o.t. It is no, the time #hen #hat I
#as told in 1,(' and 1,(, 6y the $asters thro.5h :. P. B. 3ay 6e toldC since the prohi6ition
p.t personally .pon 3e has 6een #ithdra#n.
The <.estions repectin5 $ars and $erc.ry - and 3i5ht add those #hich 3i5ht ha/e
6een 6.t #ere not p.t a6o.t *en.s - did to.ch .pon other <.estions on the o.tskirts of hi5her
initiations and #hich ne/er are and ne/er #ill 6e ans#ered before the right time. The
state3ent in the $aster)s letter to $r. Sinnett that the <.estions p.t 6y the latter approached
too near to secrets of hi5her initiations did notC it is tr.eC refer directly to these <.estions a6o.t
$ars and $erc.ryC 6.t that does not alter the fact that all the <.estions then propo.nded on
this planetary s.6;ect to.ched the delicate areaG and #hether $r. Sinnett or anyone else liked
it or notC attention had to 6e dra#n off e/en at the risk of creatin5 a te3porary conf.sion on
the topic. B.t in 1,,, ti3e had rolled on f.rtherC and no# it is 1,0 and nearer and nearer to
another cycle. The cl.e 3ay no# 6e 5i/en. It 3ay 6e noticedC if readers #ill o6ser/eC that the
3any <.estions raised in reference to $ars and $erc.ry ser/ed the additional p.rpose of so
distractin5 the attention of <.estioners that hardly any <.eries #ere raised a6o.t the s.6;ect
of -!ycles- on #hich the $asters had the co3pletest infor3ation 6.t a6o.t #hich the 1od5e is
3ore caref.l to re3ain silent than in respect to other points - yet the cycles are 3ore
i3portant and ha/e 3ore 6earin5 on life than $ars and $erc.ry.
$arsC $erc.ryC and *en.s ha/e a special and direct relation to this earth and its
in/isi6le co3panions. Those three /isi6le spheres ha/e to do #ith certain cos3ic principles
and lines of infl.ence in and on the earthC #hile the re3ainin5 /isi6le planets of the Solar
Syste3 ha/e not the sa3e relation. Read it th.sC as ta.5ht 6efore $r. Sinnett #as in the T.
S.C not as repeated in the #ecret &octrine.
-The .nseen co3panion of yo.r earth are .nited #ith it in 3assC tho.5h different as to
<.ality of s.6stance. The /isi6le planets of yo.r Solar Syste3 #hich ha/e a relation special
and pec.liar to 4arth are $ars and *en.s. B.t #hat that pec.liar - nay #onderf.l - relation is
do not askC for #e #ill not tell yo.. If #hile the c.rrent is open yo. persist in the <.estionC yo.
#ill aro.se in yo.rsel/es a perpleBity #hich the ans#er o6tained #ill not relie/e. Is there not
a spirit of irritationC of ra5eC and another of #isdo3 and acti/e ;.d53ent in 3an and @at.re
#hich 3ay relate to /isi6le planets #hich are not an act.al part of earth)s o#n special fa3ily?
This is as far as #e #ill no# 5o.-
The #hole 3is.nderstandin5 hin5es on the #ord -relation.- It #as a #ord #hich led .p
to 3any thin5s. The presence of $ars and $erc.ry in the sky presents a relation to the earthC
yet they ha/e another relation to it #hich Sat.rnC =.piterC and so on ha/e notC #hile the latter
6ear the sa3e relation to .s of proBi3ity as do the first. Ad3it the proposed constr.ction
a6o/e 5i/enC and at once there is co3plete concordance 6et#een 5soteric Buddhism and
#ecret &octrine as to esoteric de/.l5e3ents. B.t contin.e the contro/ersy to try and sho#
that 5soteric Buddhism had not a sin5le 6l.nderC and perpleBities of all sorts i3possi6le to
relie/e #ill sprin5 .p on e/ery hand. The $asters ha/e co33ended the 6ookC and #ell soC as
it is 3ade .p fro3 their letters. B.t that does not pre/ent one 3akin5 sli5ht 3istakesC asC for
instanceC the one that all 3en stay in de/achan for 1%22 years. This is not the factsC nor is it
accordin5 to reason. And I 3ake 6old to say that it is not 1%22 years since I #as last in
de/achanC 6.t 3.ch lessG and this assertion is 3ade on personal kno#led5e s.pported 6y
confir3atory state3ent fro3 the sa3e $asters. B.t it is tr.e that the 5eneral r.n of the
h.3an race stays in de/achan for the a/era5e ti3e of 1%22 years of 3ortal ti3e.
$arsC $erc.ryC *en.sC thenC are a part of o.r syste3 in the sense of ha/in5 an
eBtre3ely i3portant relation and infl.ence #ith the h.3an race and its planetsC and ha/in5
that in 3ind it #as <.ite per3issi6le for the teacher to reply that $ars and $erc.ry 6elon5 to
o.r syste3.
- Willia3 P. =.d5e
EThe /athC Sept.C 1,0F
----------------------
[2+]
THE L.C.C. AND THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 33))44
9er3an +ederal Rep.6lic
Sepp-Weidin5er-Str. C
D-,0 +rey.n5
Sept. 2"thC 10("
The 4ditorC The 5clectic Theosophist
P.7. BoB 00''
San Die5o. !alif. 02120 H.S.A.
SirI
Since yo. are a TheosophistC andC thereforeC a lo/er of Tr.thC yo. #ill 6e 5lad to infor3
yo.r readers that a s3all error has crept into yo.r article re 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch. LSee
4.T.C @o. 2C =.ly 10("C -Send In 8o.r P.estions-.M
It is si3ply not tr.e that any secessions in the T.S. #ere d.e to the fo.ndation of
1i6eral !atholic !h.rch E101'F. Whate/er secessions there #ere happened lon5 6eforeC and
a loss of 3e36ers a6o.t 102 had nothin5 #hate/er to do #ith the !h.rchC 6.t #as
connected #ith the rise of the philosopher =. >rishna3.rti.
Both the in<.irer and infor3ant see3ed at a loss to say #hy the !h.rch is called
li6eral. :ere are so3e reasonsI
E1F It has a set of teachin5sC 6.t does not ask its 3e36ers to accept the3G th.s it is
free of do53asG the teachin5s are of a theosophical nat.reC incl.din5 as they do the doctrines
of >ar3a and Reincarnation.
E2F It reco5niAes all the other faiths as e<.al #ays to spirit.al pro5ressC does notC
thereforeC proselytiAeC and ad3inisters its sacra3ents to anyone #ho honestly desires the3.
EF @o celi6acy is i3posed on the priestsC they are not salariedC and no fees are
asked.
E"F Rites and cere3onies are not proclai3ed as necessary for sal/ationC 6.t 3erely as
a help in self-ed.cationC and as a 3eans of sheddin5 6lessin5s on the #orld aro.nd.
I s.ppose that yo.r readersC tooC are fair-3inded peopleG so they #ill certainly ad3it
that .nder these circ.3stances the epithet 1IB4RA1 is a3ply ;.stified.
8o.r sincerelyC
!harles Sch3id
--------
P.7. BoB 00''C
San Die5oC !alif. H.S.A.
Point 1o3a P.6lications. Inc.
7cto6er 2". 10("
$r. !harles Sch3id EaddressF
Dear $r. Sch3idI
This ackno#led5es yo.r letter addressed to the 4ditorsC The 5clectic Theosophist. We
shall print this in o.r =an @e#sletterC to5ether #ith this reply.
We ha/e no <.arrel #ith indi/id.al 3e36ers of the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC nor #ith
the 1!! as a sepataite ch.rch or 6odyC any 3ore than #e ha/e #ith h.ndreds of other sects
and di/isions in #hich there are #orthy and kindly people. What #e do o6;ect to is the
association of the 1!! #ith any Theosophical Society. The 1!! hasC as yo. sayC adopted
so3e theosophical ideasC 6.t it also pro3.l5ates and practices 3any that are not
theosophical at all and are the eBact antithesis of #hat the +o.nders of the TS ad/ocated and
for #hich the TS #as indeed fo.nded.
8o. sho.ld not o/erlook the fact that it #as in protest a5ainst $r. 1ead6eater)s non-
theosophical prono.nce3ents and acti/ities that the lar5e 5ro.p in SydneyC A.straliaC #hich in
the ti3e of T.:. $artyn had a 3e36ership of ,22C resi5ned and 6eca3e an independent
Society.
:istory #ill also relate EseeC for eBa3pleC fact.al reportin5 in Stokes ."5" Library Critic
d.rin5 its 3any decadesF thatC contrary to #hat yo. sayC the 5reat loss of 3e36ership in the
Adyar TS a6o.t 102 #as the res.lt of the contin.o.s seethin5 protest and re/olt a5ainst
#hat had 6een ad/ocated 6y the 1!!C as #ell as $r. 1ead6eater)s and $rs. Besant)s ideas
a6o.t )the !o3in5 World Sa/ior)C and >rishn3.rti)s rep.diation of that role. ESee 1ady 43ily
1.tyen)s 6ook Candles in the #unF. Tho.5h these e/ents are lar5ely past historyC #e refer to
the3 to set the record strai5ht as to yo.r o#n state3ent.
We also in/ite yo. to read a 3ore c.rrent state3ent 6y Professor =.:. D.66inkC of
Biltho/enC :ollandC p.6lished in o.r @e#sletter @o. 1'C $ay 10(. :is #ords speak clearly to
this 3atter.
If the 1i6eral !atholics like to ha/e a !h.rchC #e say let the3 ha/e it and call it #hat
they likeC 6.t it sho.ld ha/e no connection #hatsoe/er directlyC indirectlyC eBotericallyC or
esoterically #ith any Theosophical Society.
With 6est #ishesC
8o.rs sincerelyC
- 4ditors The 5clectic Theosophist
- 5clectic Theosophist( =an. 1%C 10(%
-----------------------
[20]
IS THIS THEOSOPHY? - R4*I4W
-&. 6OOD3S NE6 /OO5
$r. 4rnest 45erton WoodC #ho has 6een li/in5 at 7otaca3.nd in So.thern IndiaC and
recr.itin5 his healthC has 6een preparin5 a 6ook to 6e entitled -Is This Theosophy?-C it is to 6e
p.6lished 6y Rider in 1ondon this 3onthC and is a lar5e 6ook to cost 1'N-. It #ill 6e as 6ook of
3e3oriesC and considerin5 $r. Wood)s eBperiences in the thick of all the )h.rley-6.rley) of the
Theosophical Society for 2% years past it sho.ld 6e of intense interest. $oreo/erC $r. WoodC
6ein5 a caref.l st.dent of The #ecret &octrine it sho.ld pro/e to 6e an i3portant #ork of
ill.3ination to st.dents. $r. Wood)s 5eneral attit.de to#ards the s.6;ect is de3onstrated in
an article in the c.rrent Dece36er TheosophistC in #hich he sets forth in 3oderate ter3 the
nat.ral position of those #hoC as $ada3e Bla/atsky says in The *eyC #o.ld not ;oin the
Society .nless they #ere in-terested in Theosophy. $r. :a3erster has 6een called .pon 6y
the President to reply to $r. WoodC #hich occ.rs to .s as s.55esti/e of !ol. 7lcott callin5 on
so3e one to reply to $ada3e Bla/atsky. There is only one #ay to do that and $r. :a3erster
adopts it. 76/io.sly it is not a s.ccessf.l one.
The 7cc.lt Re/ie#C the ne# <.arterly iss.e of #hich has ;.st co3e to handC has a
pre/ie# of $r. Wood)s /ol.3eC and #e /ent.re to 3ake the t#o follo#in5 eBtracts fro3 it. It
#ill 6e seen that the /ol.3e 3ay 6e eBpected to corro6orate all those thin5s #hich The
!anadian Theosophist has 6een censored for darin5 to assertC and that o.r policy d.rin5 the
last fifteen or siBteen years has 6een f.lly ;.stified. We look for#ard #ith keen interest to a
per.sal of the /ol.3e. $ean#hile The 7cc.lt Re/ie# infor3s .s that $r. Wood)s record is of
3any years) self-sacrificin5 #ork in close to.ch #ith the leaders of the Besant-1ead6eater
section of the Theosophical $o/e3ent. As a conse<.ence he has 3.ch of /ital interest to
re/eal to those for #ho3 )There is no reli5ion hi5her than Tr.th.)
-:ea/y of heart and disill.sioned in later daysC $r. Wood ne/ertheless cherishes a
#ar3 re5ard for the Annie Besant of earlier yearsG and his literary #ork in connection #ith the
*asanta Press has left its 3ark . . . .
-With the co3in5 to AdyarC in 1020C of $r. 1ead6eater and yo.n5 >rishna3.rti Ethen a
6oy of a6o.t thirteen yearsFC infl.ences #hich #ere destined to fi5.re lar5ely in the later life of
$r. Wood ca3e into operation. :e had 3.ch confidence in !.W.1. and D5re# to like hi3 /ery
3.ch.) B.t altho.5h satisfied of the sincerity of $r. 1ead6eaterC there #as no satisfactory
e/idence to 6e fo.nd in s.pport of his clair/oyance. In fact the ti3e ca3e #hen $r. Wood
#as con/inced that DThe 1i/es of AlcyoneC) as the clair/oyant in/esti5ations into the past li/es
of >rishna3.rti #ere entitledC co.ld not 6ear the searchli5ht of analysis. @or #as $r. Wood at
ease in face of the 3anner in #hich apparently A.B. and !.W.1. fostered the cred.lity of their
follo#ers in the o3niscience of their clair/oyant po#ers. The clair/oyance of !.W.1.C .pon
#hich Dr. Besant appears to ha/e relied too 3.chC .lti3ately 6ro.5ht the #hole DWorld
Sa/io.r) pro;ect into ridic.le and disrep.te.
-The reader #ill 6e s.rprised to find the eBtent to #hich $r. 1ead6eater #as inde6ted in
his 6ooks to infor3ation s.pplied 6y $r. Wood. 7f his efforts to esta6lish #ithin the
Theosophical Society a free platfor3C Dso that no party co.ld .se the or5aniAation for its o#n
p.rpose)G of his candidacy for election as President of the Society after the passin5 of Dr.
BesantG of his handicapsC and his defeat - all this 3.st 6e left to the reader hi3self to follo#.
S.ffice it to say that Dthe election #hich o.5ht to ha/e 6een a co.rtly record of policy and
opinion . . . . de5enerated into so3ethin5 #orse than any political election I ha/e e/er kno#n .
. . . It #as a /ictory for Bishop 1ead6eaterC #ho at last attained practically f.ll control d.rin5
Dr. Besant)s illnessC tho.5h he hi3selfC then at the a5e of ei5hty-se/enC did not li/e to see the
res.lt of the election.....
-It says 3.ch for the sincerity and de/otion to the Theosophical $o/e3ent of the
s.6;ect of this a.to6io5raphy that little or no trace of 6itterness or rancor 3ars the pa5es of
this 6ook. It stands as a li/in5 testi3ony to the reality of the spirit.al po#ers #hichC 5i/en
opport.nityC #o.ld #ork as they ha/e #orked in the pastC thro.5h the or5aniAation esta6lished
6y $ada3e Bla/atsky for that p.rpose. It is diffic.lt to 6elie/e that her efforts #ere 3ade in
/ain. What does the f.t.re hold in store?-
We .nderstand that $r. Wood eBpects to /isit @e# 8ork 6efore lon5C and it #o.ld
certainly 6e a #elco3e /isit sho.ld he 6e a6le to co3e to !anada #hen on this continent.
We #ho proposed hi3 for the Presidency #o.ld 6e 5lad to ackno#led5e to hi3 personally o.r
re5ard and estee3 for the 5entle3anly fashion in #hich he cond.cted his ca3pai5n in the
face of 3.ch 3isrepresentation and political trickery.
- +ro3 Canadian TheosophistC =an. 1%C 10'
------------------
[21]
5EEP THE TEACHIN<S CLEA&D
- Boris de &irkoff
It is the d.ty of e/ery serio.s st.dent of the 4soteric Philosophy to endea/or to 5i/e
#ide disse3ination of its teachin5s #hene/er opport.nity arises to do so. Side-steppin5 itC
o#in5 to possi6le criticis3 or dislike on the part of othersC is a si5n of 3oral #eakness.
A caref.l o6ser/ation of 3.ch of the #ritten 3aterial #hich appears in a lar5e n.36er
of c.rrent Theosophical periodicals and ;o.rnals - #ith nota6le eBceptions here and there -
re/eals the fact that certain 6asic teachin5s of o.r philosophy are either not 3entioned at all
or are dis5.ised in a false attire intended to 3ake the3 3ore palata6le to the reader.
A3on5 the teachin5s #hich sho.ld 6e 5i/en a far 5reater e3phasis than is the caseC or
s.ch that are so3eti3es totally distorted for one or another reasonC the follo#in5 are of
special i3portanceI
1. The nat.re of death and of the after-death states sho.ld 6e 6ro.5ht o.t 3ore
effecti/ely and 3ore fre<.ently. Death as a perfect sleepG death as the dissociation of the
co3posite h.3an constit.tionG death as a recessi/e process in the e/ol.tionary 5ro#th of the
indi/id.alG death as an electro3a5netic pheno3enon of a cyclic nat.re - these points sho.ld
at all ti3es 6e para3o.nt in o.r effort to pro3ote a constr.cti/e /ie# of the process of dyin5
a3on5 people #ho ha/e for cent.ries past lost all .nderstandin5 of #hat 6oth 1ife and Death
act.ally are.
It is o6/io.sC ho#e/erC that a n.36er of ;o.rnals iss.ed #ithin the Theosophical
$o/e3ent present ideas concernin5 death #hich are only a fe# steps re3o/ed fro3 ordinary
Spirit.alis3C the -3ost insane and fatal of s.perstitionsC- to <.ote fro3 one of the Teachers.
This is 3ost .nfort.nate. The teachin5s of the 4soteric Philosophy ha/e a6sol.tely nothin5 in
co33on #ith Spirit.alis3 .nder any of its 3any for3sG as a 3atter of factC they are its
opposite pole in e/ery respect. To i3a5ine that an ordinary indi/id.alC e/en of a spirit.al 6ent
of 3indC is 5oin5 to float a6o.t in the astral #orld and 6eco3e an -in/isi6le lielperC- is to
ind.l5e in a sheer s.perstitionC for #hich there is no 6asis #hate/er in the ori5inal
Theosophical teachin5s as 6ro.5ht for#ard 6y the +o.nders of this $o/e3ent or their o#n
S.periors. Death is sleepG total and 6lessed sleepC as far as the personal conscio.sness of
the indi/id.al is concernedC and all connections 6et#een hi3 and the #orld of e36odied
eBistence E#hich 6e has recently <.ittedF are se/ered co3pletely. Any ideas to the contrary
are 6oth cr.el and tho.5htlessC apart fro3 6ein5 dia3etrically opposite to Theosophy.
2. A 3ore reasona6le and accepta6le /ie# sho.ld 6e eBpressed #ith re5ard to those
3ore hi5hly e/ol/ed 6ein5s alon5 the path#ay of e/ol.tion #ho3 #e call The $astersC the
Adepts or the TeachersC and #ho the3sel/es refer to each other 3erely 6y the ter3 BrothersC
#hich c.ts at the root of 3y s.periority or pride. They are not indi/id.als or ideas #hich
sho.ld 6e 3entioned only in #hispersC and anythin5 specific a6o.t the3 a/oided at all costs.
They are 'enC 3ore ad/anced types of 3anhoodC 3ore e/ol/ed indi/id.als #ho ha/e
con<.ered the3sel/es and risen a6o/e the p.ny le/el on #hich 3ost of .s d#ell. They ha/e
tra/eled a diffic.lt road for 3any incarnationsC and o/er terrain #hich at ti3es 3.st ha/e
appeared to the3 also as i3passa6leG 6.t they -3ade itC- and therefore they are a proof to .s
that the road is not i3passa6leC and that #e too can reach the3 if #e perse/ere. While
5reatly perfectedC they are 6y no 3eans #itho.t fa.ltsG thy still ha/e so3e of o.r h.3an
failin5sC and it is precisely this si3ple fact that 6rin5s the3 closer to .s - to .s #ho are the
o6;ect of their collecti/e concern and lo/e.
We need to speak a6o.t the3 in di5nified and reasona6le ter3sG #e sho.ld 6rin5
the3C as Ideals and act.al +riendsC to the attention of those #ho ha/e for5otten their
eBistence and #ho feel -lost- in a #orld #here their stron5est feelin5 is .s.ally loneliness and
spirit.al fr.stration. In doin5 soC in disse3inatin5 the idea of their eBistence and their #orkC
#e act.ally help the Brothers to direct their helpf.l ener5ies thro.5h hi5her 3ental channels
th.s created. There6y #e 6eco3e their co#orkersC at least to so3e eBtent.
. It is hi5h ti3e that st.dents of the ancient #isdo3 refrain fro3 conf.sin5 Hni/ersal
BrotherhoodC as an idea and a #ay of lifeC #ith political theories a6o.t the e<.ality of all 3en.
-All 3en are created e<.al- 3ay 6e a con/enient slo5an in a #orld #here philosophy has no
placeC 6.t it can hardly 6e the rallyin5 cry of st.dents of the ancient occ.lt lore. !onsiderin5
the si3ple fact that #e do not 6elie/e in -creation-C 6.t in e/ol.tionG 6earin5 in 3ind that #e
reco5niAe no -!reator-C 6.t only an .ni/ersal Di/ine 1ife in 3anifestationG and o6ser/in5 the
fact that not e/en t#o lea/es of the sa3e tree are identical or -e<.alC- it is o6/io.s that
Hni/ersal Brotherhood 3eans so3ethin5 far 5reater and all-incl.si/e.
We sho.ld e3phasiAe the idea that e/erythin5 in nat.re is in a #ay .ni<.eC not e<.al
to anythin5 elseC different fro3 all elseC tho.5h ori5inatin5 in the sa3e Di/ine 1ife #hich is
.ndefina6le and inco3prehensi6le to o.r finite h.3an 3ind.
And if the o6;ection is 6ro.5ht .p that 6y -e<.ality- is 3eant 3erely e<.al opport.nityC
it 3i5ht 6e said that opport.nities arise fro3 #ithin inan hi3selfC as the res.lt of his inner
5ro#th and a#akenin5C and not as a hando.t fro3 anyone else. $an creates his o#n
opport.nities or postpones their 3anifestations 6ca.se of his o#n st.pidity and sloth.
It is of para3o.nt i3portance to .nderstand these ideas and concepts #hene/er the
Theosophical teachin5s concernin5 Root-Races and Ro.nds are concerned. These
teachin5s portray on the scale of :.3anity as a #hole the i33ense /ariety and pro5ressi/e
scales of .nfold3ent #hich eBist 6et#een indi/id.al h.3an 6ein5s or 5ro.ps of the3C fro3
one end of the #orld to the other.
1et .s disc.ss these ideas and d#ell on the3C as #e face the Portals of another 8earC
and enter into a ne# 8early !ycle?
- TheosophiaC J1C Winter 10(2-
---------------------------
[22]
D&. 5UHN TA5ES ON CAPT. -O&&ISH
4ditorC The Canadian TheosophistI - 8o.r $arch iss.e is 6ri3f.l of 3atter of interest
and i3portance. It see3ed partic.larly desira6le that so3e one sho.ld ans#er the letter yo.
p.6lished in this n.36er fro3 !apt. 1. +.rAe $orrishC of $el6o.rneC A.stralia. :e s.55ested
that so3e one of yo.r readers 3i5ht ans#er hi3. $ay I elect to do the honors?
:is first <.estion 6rin5s .p the old char5e of -papal infalli6ilityC- this ti3e directed at the
.pholders of the so/erei5n leadership of $ada3e Bla/atsky in the Theosophical 3o/e3ent.
:e saysC ri5htly of co.rseC that she clai3ed no infalli6ility for herselfC and therefore #o.ld
ha/e #ished no one else to post.late it for her - 3.ch less for the3sel/esC in their /ie#s and
interpretations. There is no <.estion or de6ate as to this. What this present #ritin5 <.estions
and contro/erts is the .nreasona6leness in char5in5 Bla/atsky)s defenders #ith any
ass.3ption of infalli6ility either for her or for the3sel/es. The first o6li5ation 6oth to tr.th and
to 6rotherhood in a de6ate a3on5 Theosophists is to na3e thin5s correctlyC and not essay to
da3n a thin5 6y 5i/in5 it a false and oppro6rio.s na3e. The 3ost ardent defenders of :.P.B.
ne/er clai3ed infalli6ility for her. The solid position they rested .pon #as that her #ork #as
so eBtraordinary that it carried the #ei5ht of s.perior a.thority #ith itC #as in a 6road 5eneral
sense inco3para6ly 5rand and of o6/io.sly priceless /al.e. The ass.3ption of its 5eneral
so.ndness has 5ro#n 3ore sta6le after so3e '% years of critical eBa3inationC #ith fe# if any
o.tri5ht errors disco/ered in tho.sands of pa5es of recondite 3aterial. This fo.ndation of
tested correctness in the 5reatest pro6le3s in scienceC reli5ionC philosophyC ethicsC
anthropolo5yC 3ytholo5yC philolo5y and sy36olis3C s.rely 5i/es her ad3irers the ri5ht to posit
for her Eor the $asters 6ehind herF a stat.s of hi5h credi6ility or a.thority. It does not i3pose
.pon the3C ho#e/erC any sla/ish acceptance of her e/ery dict.3. @o 3anC least of all a
TheosophistC sho.ld sell o.t his 3ind to any teacher or oracleC no 3atter ho# hi5hly
accredited. To na3e this esti3ate of her #ork a -clai3 of papal infalli6ility- for her is ;.st
3ental dishonestyC a fail.re to play strai5ht #ith the facts as they patently stand.
The !aptain)s second <.eryC allied to thisC 6rin5s .p a5ain the old asse/eration of the
@eo-Theosophists that tr.th 3.st ha/e roo3 to 5ro#. They ask #hether no 3ore 3ay e/er
per3issi6ly 6e added to the <.ant.3 of tr.th and kno#led5e Bla/atsky 6ro.5ht. The ans#er
isC of co.rse 3ore is to 6e added. B.t - and thisC it sho.ld 6e notedC is the critical point in the
#hole de6ate 6et#een @eo-Theosophists and Bla/atskians - if her 6asic o.tline of the
str.ct.re of the ancient #isdo3 is essentially correctC nothin5 is to 6e added that contra/enes
its principles. If her syste3 eBhi6its tr.thC then nothin5 is to 6e added that does not eBhi6it the
sa3e or other aspects of tr.th. There is endless roo3 for ela6oration of detailC eBpositionC
a3plificationC el.cidation. B.t one 3.st look askance at the incl.sion .nder the na3e of
Theosophy of <.antities of 3aterial #hich either r.n directly co.nter to the ele3ents of her
syste3 or are so far o.t on the ed5e of it that they properly 6elon5 to so3e other interest.
Thin5s of relati/ely eBtraneo.s or re3ote pertinence to the central strains of Theosophy
sho.ld not 6e sho/ed into a place of .nd.e pro3inence or recei/e disproportionate e3phasis.
:is neBt <.ery relates to the alle5ed .se of -5.tter press- ter3s in contro/ersy. I think
-<.islin5C- -hood-#inked- and -s.perstitio.s- are /ery 3ild. 7ne sho.ld not call na3es .nless
there is patent e/idence that they fit. I see no reason #hy so3e of the ideas I ha/e fo.nd
held 6y Theosophists here and there sho.ld not 6e la6eled -s.perstition.- Bla/atsky in a
5rand state3ent in Lucifer of Dece36erC 1,,,C says #e 3.st fi5ht #hate/er is h.rtin5 the
Society and that to call an e/il thin5 6y its ri5ht na3e is not e/il-speakin5C 6.t si3ple ;.stice. I
ha/e al#ays 6elie/ed in -fi5htin5 fair- and holdin5 one)s eBpression in line #ith tr.th.
Brotherhood ne/er calls for the sacrifice of candor.
Then the !aptain asks if other $asters than $. and >.:. are not ai3in5 -to 6rin5 a6o.t
the li6eraliAation of the Ro3an !h.rch 6y 3eans of the 1.!.!.- $orrish hi3self states -it
#o.ld 6e #ell to 6e <.ite s.re 6efore ans#erin5 this <.estion.- I a3 not s.reG in fact I do not
kno#. And I 3.ch do.6t if any one else kno#s - act.ally. B.t if 3ere opinion is of any /al.eC
I do feel s.re s.ch $asters #o.ld kno# 6etter than to try a thin5 so .tterly hopeless as to
con/ert the Ro3an !h.rch.
$orrish)s fo.rth <.estion is a3aAin5. It asks #hether the task of -theosophisin5 the
#orld- #o.ld not 6etter proceed Ein the West a3on5 !hristiansF 6y -eBplainin5 !hristianity like
Bishop 1ead6eaterC- than -6y a6.sin5 like $ada3e Bla/atsky.- If e/er a teBt6ook on rhetoric
or lo5ic needed a 5ood eBa3ple of -6e55in5 the <.estion- <petitio principiBC or p.ttin5 in the
pre3ises the concl.sions to 6e pro/en 6y the3C it co.ld find it ri5ht here. It is a co33on trick
of lo# ar5.3ent to -pro/e- a false assertion 6y slippin5 the falsity into the pre3ises.
Pre3ises are #orthless .nless they state tr.thC kno#led5eC fact. 1ead6eaterC 6e it 5rantedC
did so3e eBplainin5 of !hristianityC for he #as for years s.rro.nded 6y fine st.dents #ho
#ere del/in5 into !hristian esotericis3. B.t for the 5reater part he thre# his o#n pec.liar
cast of 3eanin5 o/er 3ost that he -eBplained- in this field. In a flat <.antity and <.ality
co3parison of #hat he eBplained of occ.lt !hristianity and its sy36ols and rit.al #ith #hat
:.P.B. herself el.cidated clearly and l.3ino.sly in the sa3e fieldC one 3.st conser/ati/ely
say that his eBplanation is as t#ili5ht 6eside the s.nli5ht of interpretation she 5a/e. 1ater
research and scholarship ha/e sho#n that 1ead6eater)s #ork dealin5 #ith the tr.e inner
3eanin5s in !hristianity is 5ropin5 and a3ate.rish.
ThenC in char5in5 :.P.B. #ith -a6.sin5- !hristianityC the acc.ser only sho#s .p
5larin5ly his o#n total fail.re to co3prehend the least iota of her 3oti/e in fo.ndin5 the T.S.
and in presentin5 its philosophy a3id the 3ental paralysis ca.sed 6y so3e 1'22 years of the
#orst corr.ption of reli5ion e/er kno#n to history. Theosophists the3sel/es ha/e not #ell
eno.5h kno#n that the /ery eBistence of a Theosophical Society in the 3odern #orld #as
3ade necessary 6y the total eli3ination and s.ppression of the esoteric tr.th of ancient days
6y the !hristian syste3. :ad !hristianity held on to its pri3iti/e occ.ltis3 and arcane
philosophy no distincti/ely Theosophical Society #o.ld ha/e 6een needed. !hristianity had
early cast o.t the 9nosis and s.6;ected its 3illions of 6lind de/otees thro.5h the cent.ries to
the 6elief in the 5rossest of doctrinal falsities. $ada3e Bla/atsky had to present the tr.e
ori5inal syste3 of philosophical reli5ion in the 3ilie. and a5ainst the 6ack5ro.nd of the 3ost
fri5htf.l 3ass of s.perstition in all historyC and she co.ld not do so effecti/ely #itho.t no# and
a5ain tellin5 the plain 6l.nt tr.th a6o.t the e5re5io.s falsity and hypocrisyC 6i5otry and fo.l
conspiracy Eto keep the 3asses in darkest i5noranceFC of the !hristian ecclesiasticis3. There
#as practically no other co.rse open to her. SoC #hen $orrish says she -a6.sed- !hristianity
it si3ply is not tr.e. She 3ost ;.stifia6ly told Eso3e little ofF the tr.th a6o.t it. :er treat3ent
of it #as on the #hole fairly 3ildC #hen one kno#s #hat it deser/ed. Its history is the 3ost
appallin5 story of horrorsC 3in5led #ith 3.ch innocent .ns.spectin5 piety and si3ple
5oodnessC e/er #ritten. !apt. $orrish 3i5ht refresh his 3ind on so3e of the story 6y readin5
a history of the Spanish In<.isition. :as he for5otten the rack and the iron 3aiden? :e 3i5ht
indeed profit 6y readin5 yo.r $arch article on R.ssia and the *atican.
:is <.estion @o. % deals #ith 1ead6eater)s possi6ly 3akin5 a 3ore o6;ecti/e approach
to the ancient #isdo3 alon5 3odern linesC #hile :.P.B.C he /ent.resC 3ade a 3ore distinctly
s.6;ecti/e or :ind. approachC the inference 6ein5 that 1ead6eater)s 3ethodolo5y 3i5ht reach
the West 3ore effecti/ely. I ha/en)t space to 5o into this deeply. B.t if yo. call 1ead6eater)s
clair/oyance and po.red-o.t force strea3s o/er ch.rches o6;ecti/eC and :.P.B.)s so.nd
philosophy and spirit.al ethics s.6;ecti/eC it #o.ld see3 as if this co.ld 6e <.estionedC
decidedly. Tr.th is al#ays s.6;ecti/e .ntil it is 3ade o6;ecti/eC in the life. If a pra53atic
criterion 3i5ht 6e fo.nd to test the t#oC it can 6e said that the 5reatest 3inds of the #est
so3e fifty years a5o accepted Bla/atsky)s philosophical syste3C #hereas none of that cali6re
has taken .p #ith the 1ead6eater phantas3a5oria. And it can f.rther 6e said that no 3inds of
the rank and standin5 of 4disonC 1od5eC !rookesC +la33arionC Wallace EAlfred R.sselFC
@or#ood and other leaders of #orld tho.5ht ha/e dei5ned to to.ch the Theosophical Society
since it has 6een tinct.red #ith 1ead6eater)s /isionin5s.
As to his se/enth <.estion 3.ch needs to 6e said and said strai5ht. $orrish flin5s his
criti<.e at the slo5an -Back to Bla/atsky.- 7ne #ill search far and lon5 6efore one #ill find so
o.tra5eo.s a per/ersion of si3ple lo5ic and doltish inacc.racy of -thinkin5- as is seen in his
<.ery #hy those #ho cry -Back to Bla/atsky- -persist in #antin5 to 5o 6ack#ards.- WhatC
one 3.st askC can ha/e happened to a 3ind #hich here conf.ses 5oin5 6ack Eto a thin5 of
s.pre3e /al.eF #ith 5oin5 6ack#ards? A tra/eler #anders off his ri5ht roadC disco/ers his
3istakeC and then 5oes 6ack to re5ain the path alon5 #hich tr.e pro5ress can 6e 3ade.
$orrish inti3ates that this is 5oin5 6ack#ards. A la6orer co3es 6ack ho3e each e/enin5 -
does this say that he is retro5radin5? It #o.ldC in $orrish)s lo5ic. :e 3.st indeed re5ard
Bla/atsky)s #ork as of lo# order if he 6y inference Eas he clearly doesF asserts that for the
T.S. to ret.rn to her splendid present3ent is the sa3e as to 5o 6ack#ards. WhoC forsoothC
has carried her #ork 6eyond and ahead of her? +ro3 #hose 3ore eBalted teachin5s and
findin5s are #e to 5o 6ack#ards to her inferior prod.ction? The i3p.tation of ;.st this is
hidden in $orrish)s #ordsI #ill he co3e for#ard #ith a direct ans#er?
:e childishly and ille5iti3ately conf.ses 6ack #ith 6ack#ards. We ref.se to conf.se
the3. We needC sorelyC to 5et 6ack to Bla/atsky and the eternally so.nd syste3olo5y she laid
do#n - or the $asters thro.5h her. B.t #e ref.se to 5o 6ack#ards either to her or #ith her.
We #o.ld 5o 6ack - fro3 inanities and a6s.rdities - to Bla/atskyC in order to contin.e 5oin5
for#ard #ith her. This sho.ld 6e the end of this infantile sc.rrilityC #hich I ha/e heard often
fro3 Theosophists #ho sho.ld kno# 6etter.
At the Boston +raterniAation !on/ention so3e siB years a5o I proposed an a3ended
shi66oleth to co/er the real need in the Theosophic sit.ation todayC and I /ent.re to propose it
a5ain - here. The -Back to Bla/atsky- slo5an is 5oodC and 5ood eno.5h - as far as it 5oes. It
does notC ho#e/erC 5o far eno.5h - 6ack. $yselfC I do not #ant to 5o 6ack to Bla/atsky - and
stop there. I #ant to 5o 6ack and 6ack to that fo.nt of the a5eless #isdo3 #hichC #e are
ass.redC flo#ed forth fro3 the near-di/ine 3inds of the Sa5es in re3ote ancient ti3esC and
#as 5i/en for the spirit.al and intellect.al s.stenance of the race thro.5h its history.
Bla/atsky herself did not stop - or e/en 6e5in - #ith herself. She #ent 6ackC 6ackC to the
pri3al hi5h so.rces. In the Preface to The #ecret &octrine she says that she 5a/e nothin5
ne# or of her o#n prod.ction. She offered that nose5ay of 6ea.tif.l flo#ers of tr.th and
kno#led5e fro3 the 5arden of ancient sa5acityC and all she added #as the strin5 that tied
the3 to5ether - the three 5reat f.nda3ental principles.
WhyC thenC do #e not a3end the slo5an to 3ake it con/ey #hat #e really 3ean?
Bac! 8ith Blaats!y to /lato and the #agesI
ThereC #e ha/e assertedC is the 3ine of the deepest #isdo3 e/er /o.chsafed to
3ankind. !ol. 7lcott)s 3in.tes of the fo.ndin5 3eetin5s in 1,(% state the one p.rpose of the
T.S. at its inception as 6ein5 -to disse3inate the ancient kno#led5e.- 1ar5elyC instead of
doin5 thatC the 3odern Society is practicin5 psychic 3a.nderin5. It 3akes 3.ch ado o/er the
first and third of the three 76;ectsC al3ost totally i5norin5 the secondC - !o3parati/e Reli5ionC
Philosophy and Science - #hich it does not kno# #as al3ost the sole p.rpose of the
Society)s for3ation. Brotherhood in the reli5io.s do3ain can ne/er 6e esta6lished .ntil the
st.dy of !o3parati/e Reli5ion has 5one for eno.5h to de3onstrate the pri3al .nity of all
faiths. The Society #as fo.nded to pro3ote 76;ect 7ne 6y #orkin5 hard on 76;ect T#o.
As to the shi66olethC lest so3e kinder5arten 3ind sho.ld still cry that 5oin5 6ack to
f.nda3entals is 5oin5 6ack#ardsC let it 6e once and for all .nderstood to 3ean -
BA!> T7 T:4 A@!I4@T WISD7$ ?
+7RWARD WIT: T:4 A@!I4@T WISD7$ ?
De3onstra6ly yo. can)t 5o for#ard #ith it .ntil yo. 5o 6ack Enot 6ack#ardsF and 5et it.
- Al/in Boyd >.hn.
4liAa6ethC @. =.C
$arch 2.
- Canadian TheosophistC April 1%C 10""
----------------------
[24]
L.C.C. O'$?$ns9
Is $t <oo(-/;e?
A ca6le5ra3 recei/ed recently anno.nced the resi5nation of $r. =.I. Wed5#ood fro3
the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC the Theosophical SocietyC and !o-$asonry. The resi5nation
follo#ed a sensational #ritten confession 3ade 6y one of the earlier ordained of the 1.!.!.
priestsC #hich 3entioned t#o 1.!.!. 6ishops and others 6y na3e. What the .lti3ate effect of
this de/elop3ent #ill 6eC ti3e #ill sho#G 6.t #e are ad/ised that -official- circles #ill
endea/o.r to h.sh the 3atter .pC and there are e/idences that the secret ser/ice is already
6.sy in that direction.
$r. Wed5#ood #as the fo.nder of the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC and at the ti3e of his
resi5nation #as kno#n as -The Presidin5 Bishop.- In 101%C $r. Wed5#ood first /isited
A.stralia. After cons.ltation #ith $r. 1ead6eater in SydneyC he ret.rned to 4n5land in the
sa3e yearC #ith the intention of pers.adin5 Bishop $athe#C head of the 7ld !atholic !h.rch
in 4n5landC to consecrate hi3 #ith a /ie# to his s.cceedin5 to the headship of that !h.rch.
Bishop $athe#C ho#e/erC had other plansC and declined all o/ert.res. $r. Wed5#ood
perse/eredC and approached certain continental 6ishopsC 6.t they also declined to pass on
the co/eted -Apostolic S.ccession.- ThenC in desperationC the candidate for episcopal honors
had reco.rse to a 3an na3ed Willo.5h6yC #ho 3ade clai3 to 6e a 6ishop of the 7ld !atholic
!h.rchC and arran5e3ents ha/in5 6een 3ade #ith this 5entle3anC $r. Wed5#ood ret.rned
to o.r shores in the 3iddle of 101' 5ar6ed and titled in the f.ll re5alia of the co/eted priAe.
With an infor3ality <.ite refreshin5C he in t.rn laid his episcopal hands on the person of $r.
1ead6eaterC and so the #orld 6eca3e the richerC for still another 6ishopG and there #ere t#o.
The cere3ony acco3plishedC a 3essa5e #as con/eniently recei/edC so it is statedC fro3 the
1ord $aitreyaC #ho #ished these 5entle3en to start #hat #as after#ards descri6ed as a
-Theosophical !h.rch.- The cooperation of $rs. Besant #as sec.red 6y representations
#hich #ere 3ade to her in IndiaC and she #rote .p the ne# -acti/ity- in the - Theosophist- for
7cto6er and @o/e36erC 101'.
It #as not .ntil early in 101( that the ne# !h.rch #as officially 5ot 5oin5 in A.stralia.
Since that ti3e $r. 1ead6eater has de/oted hi3self to its interests in A.stralasiaC and $r.
Wed5#ood has tra/eled a6o.t the #orld and planted the seed of discord thro.5ho.t the
planet 6y 3akin5 .se of the Theosophical Society as a proselytisin5 5ro.nd for his !h.rch.
$r. Wed5#ood has 6een instr.3ental in 5ettin5 thin5s into s.ch a 3ess that his retire3ent
sho.ld afford as 3.ch relief to hi3self as it .ndo.6tedly #ill to those #ho 6elie/e that no
5reater in;.ry #as e/er inflicted .pon the Theosophical Society than associatin5 it #ith a
partic.lar sectarian 3o/e3ent. It is already r.3o.red thatC in spite of e/erythin5C $r.
Wed5#ood is 6ein5 pressed to co3e 6ack into the foldG no <.estions asked?
- &a,nC $ayC 1022
------------------------
[27]
Le#(:e#te' #n( te In%#s
- 'ore 56posures"
The 7A!ashic -ecords7 in Cold /rint
- A"&" >JDD to >DDF
By Willia3 1oft.s :are
I. - Introd.ction
In the Theosophical -eie, for 1,00 there appeared an article descri6in5 the
ci/iliAation of ancient Per.C to5ether #ith a 6rief acco.nt of ho# the #riter had occasion to
6eco3e interested in the s.6;ect. In -lookin5 .p clair/oyantly- se/eral indi/id.alsC $r.
1ead6eater fo.nd hi3self dra#n into the continent of So.th A3ericaC and specially to an
-Atlantean !i/iliAation- on the Andes. The article #asC in s.6stanceC incl.ded in 'an(
8hence( +o, and 8hither9 E101FC #hich containsC as an AppendiB @o. III.C the introd.ctory
portion referred to a6o/e. +ro3 this I <.ote the follo#in5 passa5esI
-When in #ritin5 on the s.6;ect of clair/oyanceC I referred to the 3a5nificent
possi6ilities #hich the eBa3ination of the records of the past opened .p 6efore the st.dent of
historyC se/eral readers s.55ested to 3e that deep interest #o.ld 6e felt 6y o.r Theosophical
p.6lic in any fra53ents of the res.lts of s.ch researches #hich co.ld 6e placed 6efore
the3. . . $ost of the scenes fro3 the past history of the #orld . . . ha/e co3e 6efore .s in the
co.rse of the eBa3ination of one or other of the lines of s.ccessi/e li/esC #hich ha/e 6een
follo#ed far 6ack into earlier a5es . . . so that #hat #e kno# of re3ote anti<.ity is rather in the
nat.re of a series of 5li3pses than in any #ay a s.stained /ie#. . . .
-The part of the #orldC thenC to #hich #e 3.st direct o.r attention is the ancient
kin5do3 of Per. - a kin5do3 e36racin5 enor3o.sly 3ore of the So.th A3erican continent
than . . . the tract of co.ntry #hich the Spaniards fo.nd in possession of the Incas in the
SiBteenth !ent.ry. . . .
-@at.rally the si5ht of a State in #hich 3ost of the social pro6le3s see3ed to ha/e
6een sol/edC attracted o.r attention i33ediately . . . #e then 6e5an to learn 3ore and 3ore
of its 3anners and c.sto3sC #e 5rad.ally realised that #e had co3e .pon a /erita6le
physical Htopia. . . . The in/esti5ators . . . kno# #ell ho# often they ha/e 3et #ith the
a6sol.tely .neBpected and .ni3a5ina6le. . . To the rest of the #orld the res.lts of all en<.iry
into a past so re3ote 3.st necessarily re3ain hypothetical. They 3ay re5ard this acco.nt of
ancient Per./ian !i/iliAation as a 3ere fairy tale. . . .
-I i3a5ine that eBcept 6y these 3ethods of clair/oyanceC it #o.ld 6e i3possi6le no# to
reco/er any traces of the ci/ilisation #hich #e are no# a6o.t to eBa3ine. I ha/e little do.6t
that traces still eBistC 6.t it #o.ld pro6a6ly re<.ire eBtensi/e and ela6orate eBca/ations. . .-
7f co.rse it #o.ld? B.t can $r. 1ead6eater #ish .s to 6elie/e that he did not kno#
that -eBtensi/e and ela6orate eBca/ations- hadC at the ti3e of his #ritin5C already taken placeC
that A3ericanC 9er3anC 4n5lishC and +rench eBplorers #ere - as they are still - at #ork fillin5
the 3.se.3s #ith speci3ens and the li6raries #ith 6ooks?
There is here so3ethin5 3ore deep than i5norance. It is 3ore than s.55ested that
-eBcept 6y clair/oyance- a kno#led5e of the re3ote history had not 6eenC and co.ld not 6eC
reco/eredG 6.t at the sa3e ti3e the hope is eBpressed that archeolo5ical in/esti5ation #o.ld
.nco/er 3on.3ents confir3atory of $r. 1ead6eater)s clair/oyant readin5s. This is /ery neatG
it #as perfectly safe to say in 1,00 that there #ere re3ains yet to 6e fo.ndC and it #as also
certain that #hen the disco/eries #ere 3ade they #o.ld 6e <.ickly clai3ed as credita6le to
-Theosophy.- The process of s.6tle appropriation is ill.strated 6y a passa5e in an iss.e of
The Theosophist of early 102C #hich 3.st ha/e had $r. 1ead6eater)s -prediction- in 3ind.
II. - The Ar3o.r-!lad Seer
In a letter to the .ccult -eie, E=.lyC 102FC $r. =inara;adasa eBplained the proced.re
adopted 6y $r. 1ead6eater in his clair/oyant in/esti5ations. :e looks .p in encyclopedias
and histories the period he is st.dyin5C to 5etC -as it #ereC a fra3e#ork of history - in #hich he
3ay eBhi6it his o#n disco/eriesC #hich are to 6e corrections of -so-called history in 6ooks.-
B.t #e are left in so3e do.6t as to #hat ele3ent in the .lti3ate story is s.pplied 6y the
3.ndane historianC and #hat part is added 6y $r. 1ead6eater. The .ninstr.cted reader of $r.
1ead6eater)s acco.nt of Ancient Per. 6elie/es - and is intended to 6elie/e that the #hole of it
is the prod.ct of clair/oyant /ision. :o# can he sort the one kind fro3 the other? And ho#C
indeedC in case of contro/ersyC is it possi6le to settle any do.6ts? It is /ery like the
school6oy)s ;oke - -:eads I #inC tails yo. lose.- If any historian has saidC or any archaeolo5ist
no# says the sa3e as $r. 1ead6eaterC he is .n#ittin5ly -confir3in5- the clair/oyantG if he
says so3ethin5 different he 3.st 6e -corrected-G if in $r. 1ead6eater)s story there are e/ents
and conditions to #hich the historians s.pply no parallelC it is pro6a6ly 6eca.se -eBcept 6y
clair/oyance- they #ill ne/er 6e fo.nd. AndC 3oreo/erC the .lti3ate proof of clair/oyant
acc.racy can ne/er 6e 3ade - eBcept to the clair/oyant hi3self. So says $r. 1ead6eater in a
ca.tio.s lect.re deli/ered in A3sterda3 in 1022C a year after his first Per./ian disco/eries.
So3e of his #ords are s.fficiently i3portant to <.ote teBt.allyI
-The fac.lty of clair/oyance can 6e classified .nder different heads. . . There is a kind
of clair/oyance #hich sees #hat 3ost of .s do not seeC 6.t #hichC ne/erthelessC is confined
to one)s i33ediate s.rro.ndin5s. . . .
-In the second class #e #ill place those #ho can see at a distanceG they can al#ays
and re5.larly cast a 5lance on #hat is 5oin5 on in another to#n or perhaps in another co.ntry
. . . they are Dclair/oyant in space.)
-7.r third class is 3ade .p of those #ho are Dclair/oyant in ti3eC) i.e.C those #ho can
see 6ack into the past and for#ard into the f.t.re. @o# let .s endea/or to 5ather so3ethin5
3ore concernin5 these three classes.... @o# let .s st.dy the third kind of clair/oyance - the
fac.lty of seein5 for#ard into the f.t.re or 6ack#ard into the past. . . .-
$y readers #ill hardly 6e s.rprised to learn that $r. 1ead6eater proceeded to the
perorationC for5ettin5 to say anythin5 a6o.t -clair/oyance in ti3e- - 6ack#ards - and ho# it is
done. AndC of co.rseC that is precisely #hat #e all #ant to kno#.
There are t#o theoriesC and $r. 1ead6eater and his friends 3ake s.re of their positions
6y adoptin5 the3 6othI E1F The theory of a dor3ant race 3e3oryC possessed 6y the persons
#ho #ere in a past life associated #ith the place or e/ent 6ein5 in/esti5atedG and E2F the
theory of an i3press on the etheric en/elope of the earthC #hich /i6rates to allC the sensiti/e
clair/oyant 6ein5 the only one #ho can pick it .pC irrespecti/e of his for3er connection #ith
the place. I offer no opinion on these contradictory theories.
It #o.ld al3ost see3 as if the fa3o.s -Arhat- hadC 6y the ar3or of circ.3stances in
#hich he has placed his #orkC 3ade hi3self in/.lnera6le to attack. By caref.l preparationC
6oth s.6tle and nai/eC he anticipated all o6;ections. :e can al#ays afford to 6e 3odest
6eca.se he kno#s his follo#ers #ill ne/er 6e s.spicionsG and to .nsatisfied critics he can
al#ays say that it is a 3atter of indifference to hi3 #hether 6e is 6elie/ed or not. :o# can
s.ch a cle/er 3an 6e to.ched?
The case is not <.ite hopelessC ho#e/er. :a/in5 eBtracted fro3 $r. =inara;adasa the
re3arka6le ad3ission thatC contrary to earlier 6eliefsC $r. 1ead6eater does cons.lt
encyclopedias and histories 6efore he 5ets finally to #orkC #e 3ay here set do#n a fe# facts
#hich are of lo5ical i3portance re5ardin5 Per.. It is not too 3.ch to ass.3e that he 3ade
hi3self ac<.ainted #ith the principal #ritin5s eBistent .p to the end of the 10th cent.ryC #hich
#as rich in archaeolo5ical and literary effort. And he had a special reason for doin5 soC of a
pec.liar psycholo5ical character. $r. 1ead6eater had spent so3e years of his yo.th in So.th
A3ericaC had fo.5ht #ith the IndiansC and as a 3an of ed.cationC 3.st ha/e 6een a#are of
the 3ysterio.s historical hinterland #hich lay open to anyone #ho cared to eBplore it.
III. - Works on Per.
The short list of #orks on Peril #hich I no# 5i/e #ill indicate ho# rich #as the 3aterial
for -as it #ere a fra3e#ork of history-.
1. The -oyal Commentaries of /eruC 6y the Inca 9arcilasso de la *e5a. Translated 6y
Sir Pa.l Ryca.t E1',,F. The sa3e translated 6y Sir !le3ents R. $arkha3 E1,'0 and 1,(1F.
2. The +istory of the *ingdom of KuitoC 6y =.an de *elasco E1(,0F.
. Ro6ertson)s +istory of America E1(((F.
". Prescott)s +istory of the Conquest of /eru E1,"(F.
%. Cu;coC 6y Sir !le3ents R. $arkha3 E1,%'F.
'. Narraties of the -ites and La,s of the HncasC 6y Sir !. R. $arkha3C containin5
translations of fo.r Spanish #riters E1,(F.
(. TraelsC Pedro !ieAa de 1eon E1,'" and 1,,F.
,. +istory of the )ncasC Sar3iento de 9a36oa E1,(%F.
0. /eruC 4.9. S<.ier E1,(,F.
12. /erou et BoliieC !hasC Weiner E1,,2F.
11. +inallyC the /al.a6le 'emorias Antiguas +istorales del /eruC 6y +ernando
$ontesinosC first p.6lished in 4n5lish in 1022C #as kno#n as to its contents in SpanishC for
t#o cent.ries 6efore 1,00. It had 6een <.oted 6y all the 3odern historians.
@early all these #orks #ere in eBistence #hen $r. 1ead6eater 6e5an his .ni/ersity
career and 6eca3e a c.rate in the !h.rch of 4n5land in 1,(,.
$any st.dents of international rep.tation ha/e 6een lon5 en5a5ed on the anti<.ities of
Per.C #ith the follo#in5 6road res.ltI
The Inca dynastyC fo.nd 6y the Spaniards in possession of the Andes landsC fro3 the
ri/er Ancas3ay.C in !olo36iaC to the ri/er $a.leC in !hileC is traced 6ack to co3parati/ely
s3all 6e5innin5s Ein accordance #ith the narrati/es of 9arcilasso and !ieAaFC for a period of
"22 years 6efore the Spanish con<.est. A pre-Inca e3pire of /aryin5 fort.nes is traced 6ack
Eaccordin5 to the narrati/e of $ontesinosFC to the early days of the !hristian era. The
archaeolo5ists s.55est an act.al 6e5innin5 of this earlier c.lt.re in the 2nd cent.ry B.!.C 6.t
do not allo# it 3ore than half the territorial eBtent of the latest Inca do3ain. Th.sC a6o.t 1'22
years is allotted to the Andean ci/ilisation as a #holeC and nothin5 is kno#n of anythin5
earlier. All the re3ains hitherto disco/eredC and the traditions collected fro3 Spaniards and
nati/esC ha/e 6een tentati/ely placed #ithin this lon5 cycle of 1'22 yearsC #hich correspondsC
in a 5eneral #ayC #ith the cycle s.55ested 6y the archaeolo5ists for !entral A3erica and
$eBico. 7ne thin5 is certainI the politico-econo3ic-social syste3C so ad3ired 6y the
con<.erorsC #as of 5rad.al 5ro#thC and tho.5h consolidated 6y the IncasC had its ori5ins
6efore their day. :o# early it #as fo.nded is ;.st #hat #e sho.ld like to kno#. It is here that
$r. 1ead6eater offers his help.
I*. - $ethod of -!orrection-
$r. 1ead6eater)s eBpedient of re3o/in5 the ci/iliAation he is st.dyin5 to a 3ore re3ote
period than is allo#ed 6y the historiansC is practised here. Distance lends enchant3ent to the
/ie#? -7.r Per./iansC- he says - a/oidin5 all atte3pt at differentiation of races and tri6esC
#hich #ere /ery n.3ero.s - #ere at the hei5ht of their c.lt.re 1C222 years B.!. They #ere
con<.ered 6y an inferior race fo.nd 6y the Spaniards in possession of the co.ntry. They
3.st ha/e 6een a #onderf.l people if they #ere superior to the Incas? Then the inferior Incas
cr.elly imitated the c.lt.re of their re3ote predecessorsC and that is ho# so 3.ch of it ca3e
6efore the eyes of the Spaniards in 1%C and fo.nd its #ay into the historians) pa5es. AndC I
s.pposeC that is #hy $r. 1ead6eater)s detailed description of -7.r Per./ians- of 1C222 B.!.C
see3s like a 5eneric photo5raph of the 6ooks I ha/e na3ed in 3y list. @o other eBplanation
#o.ld 6e credita6le to the seer. It 3ay 6e added that in closin5 his clair/oyant sketchC $r.
1ead6eater re3arks that -3any of .s #ere 6orn at this ti3eC- and the 3e3ory of those days
3.st 6e dor3ant in the 3inds of a lar5e n.36er of conte3porary 3e36ers of the
Theosophical Society. In AppendiB I*. to 'anC an indication is 5i/en of so3e of these
persona5esC and I a3 a6le to identify the follo#in5 nota6lesI - $essrs. 1ead6eater and
=inara;adasaC the t#o 6oys >rishna and @ityaC $r. WadiaC $iss Ar.ndale and $r. Ar.ndaleC
her -adopted sonC- $r. WhyteC $r. W.P. =.d5eC and !ol. 7lcott. P.ite a fa3ily party? 8et it
3.st ha/e 6een tantalisin5 to these Theosophists not to kno# #hether they #ere >in5sC
*iceroysC 1ord-1ie.tenantsC !ent.rionsC PriestsC $edical 7fficers of :ealthC !ensorsC
Post3enC Soldiers or Day 1a6orersI for not a sin5le na3e of place or person is 5i/en in the
clair/oyant history.
*. - Analysis and !o33ent
I no# concl.de #ith a short analysis of $r. 1ead6eater)s article. It nat.rally falls into
fo.r cate5oriesI EaF That in #hich the seer and archaeolo5ist a5reeG E6F that in #hich they
differG EcF that in #hich the seer alone 5i/es infor3ationG and EdF that in #hich archaeolo5ists
alone 5i/e partic.lars. I #ill confine 3y attention to the 3ost i3portant cases .nder EaFC E6FC
and EcFI -
E1F /hysical and emotional features. $r. 1ead6eater states the Per./ians had hi5h
cheek 6onesC and #ere -like the 6est Red IndiansC 6.t 3ore AryanC- ha/in5 a reddish 6ronAe
color. That they #ere frankC ;oyo.sC 3ild and 6ene/olentC happyC contented and peacef.l.
The Per./ians ha/e left 3any speci3ens of e3otional portrait.re in their potteryC #hich
can 6e seen in all the 3.se.3s. They #ere 6eardless and sto.tC #ith re3arka6le play of
e3otions fro3 5loo3 and an5er to the #ildest hilarity.
E2F $oernment. $r. 1ead6eater)s description accords #ith the historians) in al3ost
e/ery partic.lar - fro3 the >in5 do#n to the Dec.rion. :e 5i/es 3odern 4n5lish na3es to
their officers.
EF 0isitations. :istorians and Seer 6oth tell of the yearly /isitations of *iceroys and
the septenial /isits of the Inca.
E"F La, and /unishment. The Seer says there #ere no la#s and no prisonsC 6.t
offenders #ere repri3anded or eBiled. There #ere ;.d5es and ar6itratorsC and officials #ere
called -+athers.- 4nli5htened p.6lic opinion 3aintained order and cri3e #as .nkno#n. This
is fantastic. There #ere certainly la#sC and they #ere pro3.l5ated periodically fro3 a
platfor3 in !.Aco city. +lo55in5 and death #ere the chief p.nish3entsC and there #as little
te3ptation to cri3e 6eca.se of the .ni/ersal pro/ision. The officials #ere called -+athersC-
accordin5 to 9arcilasso.
E%F #tatistics. These are descri6ed 6y seer and historians. The for3er says they #ere
kept -in 3odern style - - #hich I think is the card-indeB - and the latter all say they #ere kept
6y the quipus. BirthC 3arria5eC and death #ere recordedC and constant cens.s #as 6ein5
taken. This is co33on to 6oth so.rces.
E'F Land #ystem. There is little difference 6et#een $r. 1ead6eater)s /ision of this and
the Inca)s or5anisation as descri6ed in 5reat detail 6y the historians. It #as co33.nisticC and
there #ere three classes of ten.reC the >in5)s landC the S.n)s land - that is the priests - and
the people)s land. $r. 1ead6eater descri6es the syste3 of c.lti/ationC the terracesC the
distri6.tion of the har/est ;.st as the historians do. :e and 9arcilasso ha/e a 3.t.al interest
in the preser/ation and distri6.tion of /ario.s kinds of 3an.re. As to irri5ationC it #as
.ni/ersally ad3ired and descri6ed 6y the Spanish historiansC andC <.ite needless to repeat
the story clair/oyantlyC addin5 nothin5.
E(F 5conomics. Po/erty #as .nkno#n and destit.tion i3possi6leC says $r.
1ead6eater. :appily this #as so on acco.nt of the .ni/ersal forced la6or and pro/ision of all
needs. The narrators 5i/e 5lo#in5 acco.nts of the #onderf.l or5aniAation #hich the Seer
cr.dely s.33arises. :e says they 6artered food for clothes and 5oodsC and that the
5o/ern3ent 6o.5ht the 5rain -6elo# the 3arket price.- This is shockin5ly 3odern and <.ite
.ntr.e. There #as no -3arket price- - e/erythin5 6elon5ed to the State. As to 6arterC this
#as in .se 6y a fe# independent tri6es 6efore their incorporation in the e3pireC 6.t
i3possi6le after#ards. $oneyC says the SeerC #as in .se for 3inin5 and 3an.fact.res.
$oney had no 3eanin5 in s.ch a society. In !olo36ia there #as a cr.de syste3 of
eBchan5in5 5old plates for saltC 6.t in Per. not at all.
E,F -eenue. The SeerC #ith a taste for 3odernis3C says this #as .sed for payin5 the
-salaries- of officials do#n to cent.rions. The #ord salary is in anachronis3. Re/en.e #as
tri6.te fro3 the pro/incesC and #as in kindC in #hich for3 it #as distri6.ted.
E0F /ublic 8or!s. !lair/oyance has added not a #ord nor an idea to the 5lo#in5
acco.nts of roadsC a<.ed.ctsC and 5ranaries distri6.ted o/er the land. :istorians and Seer
a5ree that one road #as 1C222 3iles lon5C and there #ere posts and post3en all alon5. $r.
1ead6eater adds the tit-6it so pleasin5 to 3odern ears that -letters #ere carried free of
char5e.- This is a 3ar/elC for there #as no syste3 of #ritin5 - all 3essa5es #ere official and
oralC or carried 6y the quipus. The idea of a -char5e- is ridic.lo.s.
E12F Army. -There #as not 3.ch fi5htin5 - #ar rarely 5a/e tro.6leC- says the peace-
lo/in5 Seer. 9arcilasso )s pa5es are one lon5 record of #ar and anneBations and
s.63issions to the Inca a.thority. War #as as hi5hly or5anised as #as peacef.l ind.stry.
E11F Labor and +andicrafts" $r. 1ead6eater repeatsC 6.t adds to the historians)
acco.nts a fe# 3ar/els of his o#n. They had in/ented 3allea6le 5lass and 3ade fine
en5ra/in5 - so fine that it #as d.sted #ith a 6lo# pipe. :o# eB<.isite? The cl.3sy Spaniards
3.st ha/e d.sted it o.t of eBistence. :e says the art #as -not like So.th A3erican artC-
#hich is /ery tantalisin5G #e #o.ld 3.ch rather kno# #hat it #as like.
E12F Architecture. The historians and archaeolo5ists ha/e #ritten /ol.3ino.sly a6o.t
thisC and $r. 1ead6eater follo#s the3 5enerally #ith a fe# s.rprisin5 additions. B.ildin5s
#ereC of co.rseC -colossalC- the stones ;oined 6y a 3ysterio.s li<.id ce3ent. There #ere s.n-
dried 6ricks Eado6eF. The doors and roofs #ere -plates of 3etal- - #hich ha/e 3ysterio.sly
disappeared. 9arcilasso a5rees #ith $r. 1ead6eater that the 6lade of a knife co.ld not
penetrate the cre/ices of the #alls. This physical and 3etaphysicial testi3ony is con/incin5.
E1F /yramids and 1ortresses. The for3er #ere -like Pri3rose :illC- says the SeerC
#ho 3.st ha/e 6een in tranceC lookin5 o.t of the #indo# of A/en.e RoadC St. =ohn)s Wood.
7ther#ise he adds nothin5 to the acco.nts of historians and archaeolo5ists. The +ortresses
had look-o.t cha36ers and secret passa5es. What fortress has not?
E1"F 1ood and Clothing. This is descri6ed 6y 6oth a.thoritiesC in 5eneral a5ree3ent.
The people ate the food of the co.ntry - potatoC 5rainC riceC 3aiAeC 3ilkC and had anticipated
the ta6loid a5e 6y the 3an.fact.re of colored loAen5es. So3e of the #o3en #ere dressed
like the Italian pict.res of the *ir5in $ary. @o# #e kno# the ori5in of that fashion.
E1%F 'arriage. The chronicles tell all they kno# a6o.t thisC and $r. 1ead6eater adds
nothin5 essential.
E1'F /riesthood. 1ike#ise here #e ha/e nothin5 ne# eBcept that the priests 5a/e co-
ed.cational teachin5 in readin5C #ritin5 and arith3etic. Sickness also #as their char5e.
9arcilasso tells of the 5reat 3edical a6ility of the Per./ian her6alists.
E1(F -eligious )deas. $ost of the chronicles 5i/e acco.nts of the /ie#s of the
Per./iansC to #hich $r. 1ead6eater adds nothin5 essential. :e is #ron5 in sayin5 that prayer
#as not in .seC as so3e 6ea.tif.l speci3ens ha/e 6een preser/ed. We can only hope that
the ser3on picked .p 6y $r. 1ead6eater)s #ireless #as eBceptionally 6anal. :e says the
priests #ere clair/oyantC 6.t they e/idently did not anticipate or o.t-#it the Spanish in/asion.
E1,F #cientific )deas" Acco.ntsC in 5eneral a5ree3entC are 5i/en 6y Seer and historianC
of the astrono3ical kno#led5e possessed 6y the Per./ians. Their shado#-stones and dials
are f.lly descri6ed. $r. 1ead6eater says they kne# the earth #as 5lo6.larC and that they
predicted eclipses. 7n the contraryC they feared the3.
E10F Literature. The Seer says it #as a6.ndantC and #as #ritten on sheets 1,in B 1'in
in stencilG it #as reli5io.s and 3ystical. The -!lassic of P.rity- is an eBa3ple of this kind of
co3position. There #ere stories for edification read to the yo.n5C a6o.t the doin5s of kin5s
and 5o/ernorsG 6.tC happilyC no lo/e stories. This is all #ron5. Written literat.re #as
noneBistent in Per.G 6.t poe3sC dra3asC and historical records #ere treas.red in the
3e3ory. 9arcilasso tells a6o.t the3. The fe# cr.de picto5raphs fo.nd here and there are
not -#ritin5.- As for -lo/e storiesC- there #ere certainly 3anyC and the son5s #ere f.ll of lo/e.
The fa3o.s dra3a of 7lantayC translated 6y $arkha3C contradicts $r. 1ead6eater)s dict.3C
and 9arcilasso has 3any passa5es of a si3ilar i3port. If there #ere no -lo/e stories- in
Per.C $r. 1ead6eater has a6.ndantly s.pplied the deficiency in his 6anal - 1i/es- and
-Rents.- The taste he th.s attri6.tes to -o.r Per./ians- #as e/idently far hi5her than his o#n.
E22F The Classic of /urity. I reser/e specially for the last the sha3ef.l anachronis3
a6o.t this #ork. It is kno#n as the Ch'ing Chang ChingC and is fo.nd in the AppendiB to /ol.
"2 of the #acred Boo!s of the 5ast. It is dra#n fro3 the collection of the 3ost i3portant
treatises of the Taoist +athersC and has 6een se/eral ti3es translated.
It is 6ased on the Taoist philosophy in al3ost e/ery #ordC 3any sentences 6ein5
<.oted fro3 the Tao-Teh-*ing. IndeedC the 6ook act.ally opens #ith the #ordsI -1aoC the
$aster saidI - - The rep.ted a.thorC >o-:s.anC #as a Taoist of the W. dynasty EA.D. 222-
2((FC #ho is fa6led to ha/e 6eco3e i33ortal 6y Taoist discipline. :is acco.nt of ho# he
o6tained the teachin5 is as follo#sI
-When I attained the tr.e Tao I recited this classic 12C222 ti3es. . . . I 5ot it fro3 the
Di/ine R.ler of the 4astern :#aG he recei/ed it fro3 the Di/ine R.ler of the 9olden 9ateG he
recei/ed it fro3 the Royal $other of the West. In all these cases it #as trans3itted fro3
3o.th to 3o.thC and not co33itted to #ritin5. I no#C #hile I a3 in the #orldC ha/e #ritten it
o.t in a 6ook.-
Readers 3ay cons.lt the !lassicC and #ill appreciate its character. It is Taois3C
o6/io.sly o/erlaid or affected 6y B.ddhistic $onastic 3editation. $any years a5o I called it
-!hinese 8o5a.- It is certainly late Taois3C 6efore the .tter de5eneration set inG it is post-
B.ddhistC for the Dhar3a had already penetrated the doc.3ent.
We are left in do.6t as to #hether $r. 1ead6eater eBpects .s to think that this fa3o.s
!lassic ca3e fro3 Per. to !hina or !hina to Per.. Thirteen tho.sand years is a lon5-ti3eC
and the Pacific 7cean a serio.s 6arrierG 6.t neither is i3possi6le. What I do.6t is the po#er
of a literary co3position to tra/el 6ack#ards thro.5h historical ti3es 1C222 yearsC and then
to re/er6erate on the ether to the sensiti/e ears of $r. 1ead6eater siBteen tho.sand years
later. B.t these thin5s are a 3ystery.
*I. - !oncl.sion
I re5ret the len5th of the precedin5 sectionC #hich is 3ade .p of a 3ass of detailsC
tri/ial in the3sel/esC 6.t of i3portance #hen re5arded c.3.lati/ely. It is no eBa55eration to
say thatC eBcept for a fe# -ho#lers- - as they 3i5ht 6e called - $r. 1ead6eater)s /ision of Per.
1C222 B.!.C isC topic for topicC if not #ord for #ordC the sa3e as the acco.nt 5i/en 6y the
Spanish narrators of the 1'th cent.ryC and the 3odern historians and archaeolo5ists. :e 3ay
reply that his in/esti5ation #as independent of the 6ooksC #hich he had not readG or he 3ay
ad3it that there is 5reat diffic.lty in fiBin5 dates 6y clair/oyanceC and conse<.ently his /ision
3ay 6eC after allC no other than that of the Inca or Pre-Inca syste3 recorded in the historiesC
6.t 5en.ine ne/ertheless. B.t #e shall not 6e easily
con/inced 6y s.ch apolo5ies. It #ill 6e noticed that there is not a sin5le instance in #hich the
6afflin5 historical pro6le3s of Per./ian history has 6een cleared .p 6y the clair/oyantG e.5.C
the apparent contradiction 6et#een $ontesinos - #ho tells of 122 or 3ore Inca r.lers
descended fro3 $anco !apac - and 9arcilasso and !ieAaC #ho place that 3onarch only
t#el/e or thirteen 5enerations 6ack fro3 their day. If $r. 1ead6eater had 6ent his po#ers on
s.ch a pro6le3C he #o.ld ha/e earned 5ratit.de and rep.tation #hich #o.ld ha/e done hi3
5reat credit.
As it isC his -fairy tale- lea/es .s in a state of s.spicio.s incred.lity and hi3self .nder a
clo.d. The /a5.eness and #ant of precision of $r. 1ead6eater)s Per. is partly acco.nted for
6y the fact that it #as his first atte3pt at reconstr.ction of lost history so far as I can disco/er.
It #as 3ade for a coterie of ad3irin5 TheosophistsC #ho had 6een s.fficiently -doped- to
eli3inate all critical sense. If he had #ritten for the #orld at lar5e his i33.nity #o.ld not ha/e
re3ained so lon5C for he #o.ld ha/e 6een p.l/eriAed i33ediately 6y co3petent historians.
- &a,nC =an.C 102"
-------------------
[*8]
Leadbeater Crimes:
-'s. /es#nt #n( He' P'ote?es
By 4sotericist
The position of $r. 1ead6eater in the T.S. is 3aintained 6y the ad/ocacy of $rs.
Besant. Witho.t that ad/ocacy this 5entle3an #o.ld ha/e re3ained in the retire3ent #hich
res.lted fro3 his forced resi5nation fro3 the Society in 102'. $rs. Besant 6eca3e entan5led
in the -1ead6eater case- in =an.aryC 102'C #hen no less an a.thority than the head of her
4soteric Section in A3ericaC a tr.sted no3inee of $rs. Besant herselfC for3.lated three
char5es a5ainst $r. 1ead6eater E#ho had 6een lect.rin5 in A3ericaFC and presented the3 to
$rs. Besant in a letter th.sI
+irstI That he is teachin5 yo.n5 6oys 5i/en into his care ha6its of self-a6.seC and
de3oralisin5 personal practices.
SecondI That he does this #ith deli6erate intentC and .nder the 5.ise of occ.lt
trainin5C or #ith the pro3ise of the increase of 3anhood.
ThirdI That he has de3andedC at least in one caseC pro3ises of the .t3ost secrecy.
The presentation of these char5es #as acco3panied 6y e/idence in s.pport of the3C
and a searchin5 in/esti5ation #as asked forC at the hands of $rs. BesantC as head of the
4soteric Section. EShe #as not then President of the Theosophical Society.F
@o#C $rs. Besant hadC prior to thisC 5i/en 3.ch pro3inence to $r. 1ead6eater as an
-occ.ltist.- :eC in ret.rnC had /o.ched for $rs. Besant as an occ.ltist. Already the 5arden
/ariety of T.S. 3e36ers had accepted the pair as -5reat leadersC- and capa6le of 6ein5 -eyes-
for the Society on inner planesC #here ordinary 3ortal /ision co.ld not penetrate.
@at.rallyC these 5ross char5es a5ainst her friend p.t $rs. Besant in a fiB. It #as hard
for her to read;.st her /ie#s re5ardin5 hi3C and to see hi3 a seB-per/ert cle/erly
3as<.eradin5 as a philanthropic #orker for the ca.se of TheosophyC #hen she hadC as she
tho.5htC reason to re5ard hi3 as hi5h .p on the scale of spirit.al e/ol.tion.
Hnder these circ.3stances it #as apparently not /ery diffic.lt for $r. 1ead6eaterC #ho
has <.ite an .ncanny infl.ence o/er so3e peopleC and #ho #as at the ti3e resident at AdyarC
to s3ooth 3atters o/erC and to satisfy her that he #as not i33oral at allC 6.t that he had 5i/en
ad/ice of a certain nat.re in so3e eBtre3e casesC and to 6oys of 6ad ha6itsC #hich he
conscientio.sly 6elie/ed to 6e per3issi6le. $rs. Besant accepted this eBplanation - it #o.ld
appear #ith so3e little rel.ctance - and to ;.stify her decisionC she eBplained in a letter #ritten
later that she had heard as far 6ack as 1,02 of a char5e 3ade in !eylon a5ainst $r.
1ead6eater and a 6oyC in/ol/in5 /ery 5ross cond.ctC #hich she at once sco.ted. She also
3entioned that she tho.5ht so3e of the thin5s said a6o.t $r. 1ead6eater #ere s.55ested 6y
his dislike of #o3en)s societyG so e/idently char5es of so3e sort ha/e 6een contin.ally in the
air #here $r. 1ead6eater #as concerned.
7n the #holeC $rs. Besant felt she had to re5ard his t#enty-t#o years of #ork in the
T.S. as o.t#ei5hin5 the 6alance of pro6a6ility of the tr.th of the char5es 3ade.
$rs. Besant)s A3erican friends #ere not satisfied #ith this reasonin5C and her
indifference to their co3plaintsC and so forced the sit.ation that !ol. 7lcottC President of the
SocietyC in/ited the !o.ncil of the British Section of the T.S. to 3eet and hear the char5esC
and to ad/ise hi3 as to #hat co.rse to p.rs.e.
This !o.ncil 3et in 1ondon on $ay 1'thC 102'. !ol. 7lcott presided. $r. 1ead6eater
attended. A representati/e fro3 A3erica also attendedC at the re<.est of the !olonelC and
for3ally presented the char5esC #ith doc.3entary e/idence in s.pport. $r. 1ead6eater
ans#ered <.estionsC and 3ade -eBplanationsC- .ntil the !o.ncil had no desire to 5o any
farther. The only <.estion #ith the !o.ncil Ethere #ere t#el/e 3e36ers presentF #as
#hether the acc.sed sho.ld 6e eBpelled fro3 the Theosophical Society or 6e per3itted to
resi5n. :is resi5nation #as accepted. A f.ll acco.nt of the proceedin5s #as taken do#n
/er6ati3 in shorthandC and transcri6ed 6y $r. 9lassC and is still eBtantC and kno#n as the
$lass -eport.
!opies of this Report are no# filed in the 1i6rary of the Sydney 1od5eC T.S.. and in
other placesC and are a/aila6le for referenceC so it need not 6e re/ie#ed at len5th here. !ol.
7lcottC as President of the T.S.C #rote a circ.lar letterC dated !hica5oC Septe36er 1,thC 102'C
to all 9eneral Secretaries of the SocietyC and s.33arised the proceedin5s. 7ne para5raph
#ill 6e s.fficient to sho# ho# the en<.iry #ent. This readsI -:e E1ead6eaterF #as present at
the sittin5C and 5a/e s.ch eBplanations as he tho.5ht 6est. They #ere so entirely
.nsatisfactory and .ncon/incin5C and he ad3itted the correctness of the char5es in s.ch a
tone as to alienate the sy3pathies of his se/eral stron5 friends on the !o33ittee. . . $r.
1ead6eater)s case 3i5ht al3ost 6e called one of 3oral s.icideC .nder a rather disordered
state of 6rain.- This sho#s /ery clearly #hat the then President of the Theosophical Society
and chair3an at the en<.iry tho.5ht a6o.t the case.
When the $lass -eport reached $rs. Besant in India in =.ne E102'F she eBpressed
herself in a circ.lar letter dated =.ne 0thC 102'. In this letter $rs. Besant records ho#C #hen
she first recei/ed the letter fro3 A3erica containin5 the char5esC $r. 1ead6eater eBplained
the3 a#ay .ntil she #as satisfied. In the circ.lar letter she 5i/es this as a reason #hy she
sh.t her eyes to the 5ra/ity of the state3ents 3adeC and #rote to the acc.ser on +e6r.ary
22thC 102'C eBc.sin5 $r. 1ead6eaterC and declinin5 to hold any en<.iry. $rs. Besant then
contin.esI
-The later e/idence Ethat of the $ayC 102'C en<.iryF 3akes $r. 1ead6eater)s state3ent
of his positionC on #hich 3y letter E+e6r.ary 2'thC 102'F #as #rittenC .tterly 3isleadin5. A
third 6oy)s case is 5i/enC #ho #as ta.5ht and #ho nat.rally 6eca3e ner/o.sly ill. . . . @othin5
can eBc.se 5i/in5 to yo.n5 6oys instr.ction on seB.al 3atters to 6e kept fro3 their parentsC
the ri5htf.l protectors of their children. $r. 1ead6eater appeared 6efore the !o.ncil of the
British SectionC representati/es fro3 the +rench and A3erican Sections 6ein5 presentC and
/otin5 !ol. 7lcott in the chair. :e E1ead6eaterF denied none of the char5es. B.t in ans#er to
<.estionsC /ery 3.ch stren5thened the3C for he alle5ed that he had act.ally handled the 6oys
hi3selfC and that he had th.s dealt #ith 6oys 6efore p.6erty -as a prophylactic.- So that the
ad/ice #hich #as s.pposed to 6e 5i/en to resc.e a 6oyC as a last resortC in the 5rip of seB.al
passionC 6eca3e ad/ice p.ttin5 fo.l ideas into the 3inds of 6oys innocent of all seB i3p.lses.
. . . S.ch ad/ice as #as 5i/en in factC s.ch dealin5 #ith 6oysC and #ith 6oys 6efore seB
eBpression had a#akenedC co.ld only 6e 5i/en #ith p.re intent if the 5i/er #ere on this point
insane. S.ch local insanityC s.ch per/ersion of the seB-instinct too forci6ly restrainedC is not
.nkno#n to 3e36ers of the 3edical profession. The records of a celi6ate priesthood and of
.n#ise asceticis3 are only too f.ll of s.ch casesC and their /icti3sC in all other points 5oodC
areC on the seB <.estionC practically insane. 1et 3e here place on record 3y opinion that
s.ch teachin5 as this 5i/en to 3enC let alone innocent 6oysC is #orthy of the sternest
repro6ation. It distorts and per/erts the seB-instinct i3planted in 3en for the preser/ation of
the raceG it de5rades the ideas of 3arria5eC fatherhood and 3otherhoodC h.3anity)s 3ost
sacred idealsG it 6efo.ls the i3a5inationC poll.tes the e3otionsC and .nder3ines the healthC
#orst of allC that it sho.ld 6e ta.5ht .nder the na3e of the Di/ine Wisdo3C 6ein5 essentially
earthlyC sens.alC de/ilish? . . . I ha/e 6l.ndered 6adly in 3y ;.d53ent and 3y insi5ht and 3.st
6ear the kar3a of it. I dare not 6elie/e that the White 1od5e co.ld i5nore s.ch in tho.5hts
and deedsC as the Te3ple opens only to the p.re in heart. Better 6e 3istaken a h.ndred
ti3es and say soC than let the cradle of the co3in5 Race 6e soiled 6y conni/in5 at #ron5.-
We can all sy3pathise #ith $rs. BesantC a professed occ.ltistC accepted 6y h.ndreds
of p.pils in occ.ltis3 as their teacher in sacred thin5sC and re5arded 6y the3 as li/in5 on
spirit.al hei5htsC #here /ision #as .nclo.ded. It 3.st ha/e cost her 3.ch to ad3it ha/in5
-6l.ndered 6adly.- $r. 1ead6eaterC tooC #as <.ick to see ho# 5reat a strain it #as .pon her
self-estee3C and pro3ptly took ad/anta5e of it. !irc.3stances helped hi3. In the 3onth
follo#in5 the 1ondon en<.iry !ol. 7lcott #as taken ill. :e partially reco/ered. B.t the
follo#in5 =an.aryC 102(C fo.nd hi3 on his death-6ed at Adyar. $r. 1ead6eater had an al3ost
.ndist.r6ed field. :e #orked on the cred.lity of $rs. BesantC #hoC as can 6e seenC #as only
too ready to 6elie/e in hi3C and e/ent.ally s.cceeded in 5ettin5 her 6ack to the pretence that
he had only 5i/en 6ad ad/ice in a fe# already 6ad cases to /ery 6ad 6oys.
In =an.aryC 102(C !ol. 7lcott 6elie/ed that t#o $asters appeared at his 6edside. They
#ere /isi6le to t#o ladies E6oth psychicF #ho #ere attendin5 to hi3. Thro.5h the3 he asked
/ario.s <.estionsC and the ans#ers as they #ere reported to hi3 6y the ladies led hint to #rite
to $r. 1ead6eater. We <.ote the follo#in5 fro3 his death-6ed letter. :e passed o/er a fe#
days laterI
-!oncernin5 the other 3atter a6o.t the dist.r6ance yo.r teachin5s ha/e ca.sedC 6oth
$ahat3a $. and $ahat3a >.:. ass.red 3e yo. did #ell to resi5nC that it #as ri5ht to call a
!o.ncil to ad/ise .pon the 3atterC and that I did ri5ht in acceptin5 yo.r resi5nationG 6.t they
said #e #ere #ron5 in allo#in5 the 3atter to 6e 3ade so p.6lic. They ha/e told 6oth Annie
EBesantF and 3yself that yo.r teachin5 yo.n5 6oys to relie/e the3sel/es is #ron5. I do
i3plore yo. fro3 3y death-6ed to 6o# to Their ;.d53ent in the 3atterC and 3ake a p.6lic
state3ent that yo. #illC and that yo. #ill 5i/e The3 and .s yo.r sole3n pro3ise to cease
5i/in5 o.t s.ch teachin5s.-
There is 3.ch 3ore in this old correspondenceC 6.t #hat has 6een <.oted sho.ld
satisfy any .n6iased reader that in her present attit.de $rs. Besant is relyin5 .pon the
i5norance of present-day 3e36ers of all these old happenin5s. IndeedC fe# e/en of the older
3e36ers in A.stralia e/er sa# the doc.3ents fro3 #hich I <.ote. They ha/e 6een
systematically suppressed"
As to the 5en.ineness of the appearances of the $asters at the death-6edC this #as
<.estioned 6y 3any at the ti3eC incl.din5 $r. 1ead6eaterC #ho #as then in SicilyG $essrs.
Bertra3 >ei5htleyC !hakra/artiC Hpendranath Bas. E9eneral Secretary at :ead<.artersC
AdyarFC $iss 1ilian 4d5erC $.A.C and othersC #ho #ere in India at the ti3eC #ith opport.nities
of 5an5in5 the circ.3stances. $rs. Besant accepted the3 as 5en.ineC 6.t #as not present.
A3on5st other thin5sC her no3ination for the presidency of the T.S. #as 3ade on the
asserted ad/ice of the 6edside /isitors.
With this introd.ction #e can no# 6riefly reply to the last circ.lar letter iss.ed 6y $rs.
Besant. This is dated =.ne 1stC 1022C is addressed -To T.S. 1od5esC A.stralraC- #as printed in
-T" in AC- =.ne iss.eC and has 6een posted to all A.stralian 3e36ers in addition. It is no
do.6t re5arded as a #ei5hty and con/incin5 doc.3ent. As #ill 6e seen 6y #hat appears
else#hereC the first para5raph contains a falsehoodC and the President)s atte3pt to 6es3irch
the 5ood na3e of $r. $artynC #ho has done so 3.ch to pro3ote her interestsC financial and
other#iseC for 3any years pastC cannot fail to react on the a.thor of the falsehood. B.t it is
not the first ti3e in her career that $rs. Besant has endea/ored to sa/e herself at the
eBpense of her friends. $rs. Besant pretends that the T.S. 1oyalty 1ea5.e is #orkin5 a5ainst
her - a nat.ral 6it of e5otis3 perhapsC 6.t not s.pported 6y any facts. The T.S. 1oyalty
1ea5.e is #orkin5 to clean the T.S. fro3 the cancero.s 5ro#th #hich afflicts itC 6eca.se of the
protection $rs. Besant 5i/es to those responsi6le for it.
In the second para5raph of the circ.larC $rs. Besant refers to the char5es a5ainst $r.
1ead6eater as -ad/ice 5i/en #ith a /ie# to resc.e a fe# 6oys fro3 /ice.- $r. 1ead6eater
hi3self ad3itted at the en<.iry 3.ch 3ore than 5i/in5 ad/iceC and the police of Sydney
#o.ld not ha/e 6een co33issioned 6y the Depart3ent of =.sticeC @.S.W.C to hold an en<.iry
re5ardin5 hi3 at the present ti3e if the e/idence a/aila6le #as as restricted as $rs. Besant
pretends it to 6e for the p.rposes of her circ.lar. It #ill 6e noticed that the President statesI
-:e E1ead6eaterF had pro3ised not to repeat the ad/ice.- $any 3e36ers ha/e asked #hen
this pro3ise #as 3ade. 7thers happen to kno# that the sa3e sort of -ad/ice- has 6een
5i/en at a 3.ch later date than 102'.
In the third para5raphC $rs. Besant has a tilt at nat.ralised 9er3ans. She dra5s this
inC it is pres.3edC to sa/e the fa3e of $r. 1ead6eaterC #ho has not yet 3ade any eBplanation
EeBcept in secret to $rs. Besant)s 4soteric SchoolF of -the Leadbeater lieC- eBposed in the
$ay iss.e of &a,n. We need only re3ark that #hat the President says a6o.t the 1012
Steiner tro.6le 3.st 6e read #ith ca.tionC as the acc.racy of her state3ents has 6een
challen5ed.
The eBtract fro3 the letter of $r. Piddin5tonC #hich appears else#hereC sho#s ne#
li5ht and 5i/es a tr.e /ie# of the $adras :i5h !o.rt char5es. The cri3e #ith #hich $r.
1ead6eater #as then char5ed #as not 5i/in5 -ad/iceC- nor of handlin5 yo.n5 6oysC 6.t
so3ethin5 else. It #as the something else the ;.d5e did not consider pro/en.
In the fo.rth para5raph $rs. Besant refers to so3ethin5 contradicted 6y $r. $artyn in
1010G the reference is so /eiled that $r. $artynC 6ein5 appealed toC replies that he does not
kno# #hat it refers toC the o.tstandin5 facts of his inter/ie#s #ith $rs. Besant in 1010 6ein5
her conde3nation of $r. Wed5#ood as a seB per/ertC and the state3ent that he #as not an
initiate.
$rs. Besant has no#here and at no ti3e p.6licly contradicted these state3ents of $r.
$artyn)s. In his $ayC 1021C letter to $rs. BesantC recently p.6lishedC $r. $artyn re3inds $rs.
Besant that he introd.ced his perpleBities Ere the 1ead6eater char5esFC 6.t she declined to
disc.ss the3.
$rs. Besant #o.ld ha/e readers of her circ.lar 6elie/e that all the 1ead6eater 6oys in
A.stralia ha/e only intense 5ratit.de and ad3iration for $r. 1ead6eater. @o# a /ery
interestin5 <.estion s.55ests itself here. D.rin5 his residence in A.straliaC 6oys ha/e co3e
and 6oys ha/e 5oneG there ha/e 6een 3any 6oys. A fe# are in Sydney no#C and let its say
frankly thatC 6e the facts #hat they 3ayC it is not likely that all of the3 ha/e had the sa3e
eBperienceG 6.t it #o.ld 6e /ery instr.cti/e to follo# .p $r. 1ead6eater)s record #ith yo.n5
6oys fro3 the ti3e he first left 4n5land for India in 1,,%. :e 3.st ha/e shed his 6eneficent
infl.ence o/er a /ery 5reat n.36er of yo.n5 6oys. What has 6eco3e of the3 all? We kno#
of one here and one there certainly. 7ccasionally an odd one can he traced #ho re3ains as
an ad.lt in the Theosophical SocietyC 6.t there 3.st 6e a host #ho ha/e 5ro#n .p and
disappeared fro3 /ie#. What li5ht #o.ld 6e thro#n on this 5reat -leader)s- life#ork #ith the
yo.n5 if #e co.ld trace the se<.el fro3 the An5lican !.rate days of 4n5land thro.5h those
rife years in !eylon and IndiaC so3e incidents of #hichC 6ack aro.nd 1,02C $rs. Besant refers
to in her circ.lar of =.ly 0thC 102'. 8esC these #o.ld 6e interestin5 records. B.t alas? #e ask
in /ain for the .ntold storyC and cannot pro6e it e/en for the last half-doAen years in A.stralia.
$rs. Besant says in her circ.lar that !ol. 7lcottC on his death-6edC apolo5ised to $r.
1ead6eater 6y ca6le. We ha/e done 6etter. We ha/e <.oted the dyin5 3an)s letter. 7.r
readers can satisfy the3sel/es as to #hether the #ord apolo5ise is #arranted.
In concl.sionC 3ay #e /ent.re to refer to $rs. Besant)s state3ent that in 102, the
9eneral !o.ncil of the T.S. considered ne, eidenceC and ac<.itted $r. 1ead6eater. @e#
e/idence ca3e to li5ht after the 102' en<.iry - a letter #ritten in cypher 6y $r. 1ead6eater to
a yo.n5 6oyC a3on5st other thin5sC 6.t no 9eneral !o.ncil co.ld ac<.it on that e/idenceI it
#o.ld pro6a6ly con/ict any person tried in a co.rt-of-la#.
The tr.th isC that $rs. Besant has so in/ol/ed herself in $r. 1ead6eater)s occ.ltis3 that
she dare not face any e/idence #hich con/icts hi3. She hasC as sho#nC rep.diated her o#n
con/ictions #ith re5ard to Wed5#ood #hen she fo.nd it 3ade $r. 1ead6eater a false
prophet. All this has a fine sideC as #ell as a sordid oneC and &a,nC tho.5h it 3.st conde3n
3oral rottenness in the T.S.C hypocrisy in hi5h placesC and /ice ca3o.fla5in5 itself .nder :oly
7rders and occ.lt pretensionsC has real sy3pathy for its PresidentC #ho it 6elie/es is doin5
her 6est to dod5eC as 5racef.lly as possi6leC a /ery a#k#ard sit.ation. Da#n #o.ld like to
see the ripe old a5e of $rs. Besant de/oted to happier endsC and hopes that it 3ay so
happen yet.
- &a,nC =.lyC 1022
--------------------
[*1]
LEAD/OATE& FATALLY TO&PEDOED
LA post on -theos-talk- 6y $.R.=.M
After 9re5ory Tillet)s 6io5raphy of !.W. 1ead6eater in the early 10,2)sC -The 4lder BrotherC-
I tho.5ht possi6ly that the 1ead6eater 3o/e3ent in the Adyar T.S. #o.ld 6e o/er and done
#ith - no s.ch l.ck. If that 6ook #asn)t da3nin5 eno.5hC Tillet 5ot his Ph.D. fro3 an a6o.t
1122 pa5e st.dy of 1ead6eater and the T.S. of that ti3eC finished in 10,'C #hich is no# online
at the Hni/ersity of Sydney)s Di5ital Theses section at
ShttpINNses.li6rary..syd.ed..a.NhandleN212N1'2T.

1ast I kne# Dan !ald#ell also had a link to it at ShttpINN1ead6eater.netT. It is a ho.rs-lon5
do#nload of 3any sectionsC .nless yo. ha/e a 6road6and connection EI don)t.F There is also
an rtf /ersion circ.latin5. It has $.ch @e# infor3ation that /ery fe# are a#are ofC and is
e/en 3ore co3pletely da3nin5 as to 1ead6eater)s character than the -4lder Brother- #as.
$y lords? #hat does it take?? After thisC 1ead6eater and all his associated 5ro.ps E1!!C !o-
$asonsC etc.F sho.ld 6e 6anned #ith any type of association #ith anythin5 6earin5 the
-Theosophical- na3e. Why aren)t they? - 6eca.se the fools and left-handers ha/e taken
o/erC that)s #hy. Altho.5h they sho.ld 6e r.nnin5 o.t of eBc.ses shortly.
I read Tillet)s lon5 thesis and 3ade so3e IndeB notes. Belo# is a synopsis and pa5e
n.36ers for 5enerally so3e /ery dis5.stin5 6its of doc.3ented infor3ation on the -Bishop-
and his cre#. They are -notes-C the references are not co3plete.
- pp 1'1C 02%ff - !W1)s onanistic -3editations-
- pp 1('-(( - !W1 steals the 6oy =inara;adasa fro3 his parents Eas he did >rishna3.rti and
his 6rother.F
- pp 1,1 - Bla/atsky refers to !.W. 1ead6eater as -W.!.- Efor -#ater closet-F
- pp 1,-," - 1ead6oater tho.5ht he co.ld -indi/id.aliAe- cats so that they #o.ld reincarnated
as h.3ans
- pp 220-1ff - >atherine Tin5ley 5ets :otel in !alifornia to cancel 1ead6eater 1ect.re
- pp 2"ffC 2"%C 2"(C 2'%-'C '2 - AleBander +.llertonC #ho had 6een =.d5es) -ri5ht-hand
3anC- 6.t later left =.d5e for BesantC his in/ol/e3ent in letters of !W1 to yo.n5 6oysC etc.
+.llerton #as e/ent.ally arrested for #ritin5 an incri3inatin5 letter to a 6oy and thro#n in an
asyl.3. EA ho3oseB.al apparentlyC and perhaps deser/in5 it - considerin5 ho# thin5s 5oC
this latter co.ld ha/e 6een a fra3e-.p or notC no details.F Tin5ley #as responsi6le for thisC
and +.llerton had 5otten an a5ency to in/esti5ate the condition of children at Tin5ley)s Point
1o3a school. EIt passed #ith flyin5 colors.F
- pp 20-0" - There is a 5ood 9.R.S. $ead <.ote hereI -At all ti3es of 5reat spirit.al re/i/alC
the fo.l reflectionC the distortionC the per/ersion of the 3ost Sacred $ysteries acco3panies itG
at all s.ch ti3es the tr.e $ysteries ha/e 6een s.rro.nded and 6es3irched #ith the fo.lest of
seB cri3es. +or the :i5h $ysteries ha/e to do chiefly #ith the $ystery of Re5eneration.-
- pp %2,ffC '2,ff - Tin5ley)s 5ro.p .nofficially p.t o.t t#o pa3phlets conde3nin5 AdyarC !W1
and Besant for 3oralsC and disclai3ed any relationship #ith their TS. These #ere #ritten 6y
+.ssell.
- pp %"(-", - #itness acco.nts of !W1 -handlin5- yo.n5 6oysC incl.din5 >rishna3.rtiC #ho
later called !W1 -an e/il 3an.-
- pp %'% - !W1 p.ts a dead theosophist at the head of his -in/isi6le helpers- in the War effort
- pp %,( - Pro3inent B.ddhist Ana5arika Dhar3apala #rites that - ...$e36ers of the
Theosophical Society #ho follo# 1ead6eater and $rs Besant are a5ainst B.ddhis3. They
follo# =es.s and he they say is 5reater than o.r 1ord B.ddha. 1ead6eater and $rs Besant
steal e/erythin5 fro3 B.ddhis3 and pal3 it off as their o#n and s#indle the i5norant
3e36ers of the TS in 4n5land.-
- pp '12-11 - !W1 says he is in co33.nication #ith :PB #ho has incarnated in a 1"-yr. old
Indian 6oy E#hat else?F. Pre/io.slyC BesantC at leastC said she had incarnated in !hakra/arti)s
da.5hter.
- pp '"-%C '(2-(,C 022ff - !W1 #itnessed naked in 6ed #ith 6oysC takin5 6athsC and else.
$artynC head of the A.stralian TS #ritesI -....1ead6eater is a seB-per/ertC his 3ania takin5 a
partic.lar for3 #hich I ha/e - tho.5h only lately - disco/ered is a for3 #ell kno#n and <.ite
co33on in the annals of seB-cri3inolo5y.- 7ne person #roteI -$artyn and his allies soon
ca3e to look .pon the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch as no 3ore than the front for a 5an5 of
pederasts.-
- pp (1"-1% - Wed5#oodC a 1!! Bishop and pro3inent in the Adyar TSC contracted syphilis
fro3 ho3oseB.alityC .sed cocaineC and later #ent insane.
- pp (2, - 1!! Bishop Ar.ndaleC and later President of Adyar TSC said one sho.ld #ear silk
.nder#ear for occ.lt reasons.
- pp (, - >rishna3.rtiC #ho had the co33on sense and co.ra5e to t.rn a5ainst !W1 and
BesantC Ar.ndaleC etc.C #as told 6y Ar.ndale that .nless he stopped criticiAin5 the3C
>rishna3.rti)s 6rother @itya #o.ld die. >rishna3.rti didn)t chan5eC and @itya died. Whether
this #as fro3 nat.ral ca.ses or 6ein5 6lack-3a5ic -hoo-dooed-C #ho can say.
- pp (0-0"C 012 - Accordin5 to 4.1. 9ardnerC Besant realiAed finally that she had 6een
del.ded her #hole latter lifeC and 6een -seein5 the creations of her o#n i3a5inations.- She
#as 5oin5 to 3ake a 6reech of it p.6liclyC 6.t died 6efore she co.ld.
- pp 022 - !W1 5ot an ene3a e/ery 3ornin5 fro3 a 6oy.
- pp 012-12ff - That !W1 follo#ed a practice too dis5.stin5 to p.t here.
- pp 12"1 - The 1!! E1i6eral !atholic !h.rch - hand-in-5lo/e al#ays #ith the Adyar TSF is
6asically a ho3oseB.al or5aniAationC as its first presidin5 -6ishops- or leaders #ere all
ho3oseB.als.
------------------
[*2]
AN OPEN LETTE& TO P&ESIDENT BINA&ABADASA
2% S. 0th St.C
Philadelphia (C Pa.C
$ay ,C 10"'.
$r. !. =inara;adasaC PresidentC
The Theosophical SocietyC
AdyarC $adrasC India.
Dear SirI
Since yo. are no# the President of the Theosophical SocietyC I a3 #ritin5 yo. this
open letter to ask yo. to 3ake clearC for the 6enefit of 3e36ers #ho are interested in the
7ri5inal Pro5ra33e of the SocietyC and a reco5nition of the need for st.dy and disse3ination
of the ori5inal teachin5sC #hat yo.r position is on this 3atter. I ha/e read caref.lly yo.r
ina.5.ral addressC #hich appeared in the Canadian Theosophist in AprilC and find that it does
not deal #ith the /ital points of the pro6le3. @either does yo.r letter printed in the $arch
iss.eG #hich p.rports to 6e an ans#er to $r. Ro5er)s article -The 7ri5inal Pro5ra33e-
printed in @o/e36er.
In this letter yo. sayI -$r. Ro5er a5ain and a5ain insists that the Society sho.ld
al#ays re3e36er that it #as fo.nded 6y the Adept-+o.nders and is .nder Their direct
5.idance.- $r. Ro5er .ses the #ords -direct 5.idance- only onceC #hen speakin5 of the
7ri5inal Pro5ra33e as p.6lished 6y :.P.B. in *ol. I of the TheosophistC in 1,,2. 76/io.slyC
the Society has not 6een .nder the direct 5.idance of its Adept-+o.nders since it re;ected
Their pro5ra33e. $r. Ro5er doesC indeedC insist that the Society sho.ld re3e36er these
+o.nders. What he f.rther insists .ponC as I .nderstand itC is that since the Adepts #ere the
ca.se of the fo.ndin5 of the SocietyC it #as ori5inally intended to f.lfill Their p.rposesC and the
7ri5inal Pro5ra33e #as for3.lated #ith this in 3ind.
When the Society de/iated fro3 thisC 7ri5inal Pro5ra33eC it #as no lon5er carryin5
o.t the p.rposes of the Adepts. Therefore it 6eca3e i3possi6le for The3 to contin.e to .se
itC as They had plannedC as a foc.s for Their ener5y. The loss to the 3e36ersC and to the
#orldC thro.5h all these yearsC has 6een incalc.la6le. If the Society #ere to 3ake the proper
effortC e/en at this late dateC it 3i5ht 6e possi6le to reco.p these loses to so3e eBtent. The
Adepts #ho ta.5ht $ada3e Bla/atsky #ere and are AdeptsC still the only possi6le so.rce for
the Theosophical SocietyC of the kno#led5e or the /ital ener5y #hich #o.ld ena6le it to
f.nction effecti/ely.
In yo.r letter dealin5 #ith $r. Ro5er)s articleC yo. 6rin5 .p the decision 3ade in
connection #ith the =.d5e case. 8o. spend se/eral para5raphs on #hat is only a le5al
<.i66le. @at.rallyC it #as decided that it #as -i3possi6le for the Theosophical Society to
3ake any prono.nce3ent #hether the $asters eBist or notC- #hen it #as a <.estion of an
acc.sation of for5in5 hand#ritin5C as the eBistence of the $asters is not a thin5 #hich can 6e
le5ally and p.6licly de3onstrated. I a3 a#areC alsoC that 6elief in the $asters cannot 6e
3ade a re<.ire3ent for 3e36ership in the Society. B.t this has nothin5 #hate/er to do #ith
the fact that the leaders of the Society sho.ld 3ake clear their o#n faith in the AdeptsC and try
to f.lfill to so3e eBtent the p.rposes for #hich the Society #as fo.nded.
In 1,02C #hile $ada3e Bla/atsky #as still ali/eC Annie Besant #rote an article called
-The Theosophical Society and :.P.B.- #hich #as p.6lished in -1.cifer-. It has 6een
reprinted as recently as 102 as @o. 1%( of the Adyar Pa3phlets. In this article she saidI -If
there are no $astersC the Theosophical Society is an a6s.rdityC and there is no .se in keepin5
it .p.- A protest a5ainst her article #as #ritten 6y :.T. PattersonC and her ans#er to this
protestC #hich is also printed in the a6o/e 3entioned Adyar Pa3phletC coptains 3aterial
#hich I #ill take the li6erty to <.ote to yo.C since I 3.st ass.3e that yo. are .nfa3iliar #ith it.
If this ass.3ption is #ron5C I #o.ld like yo. to infor3 3e #hether or not yo. are #illin5 to
accept Annie Besant)s ;.d53entC and a5ree #ith her on this 3atterC or #hether yo. li3it yo.r
a5ree3ent #ith her to #ritin5s of a later dateC #hen :.P.B. had 6eco3e only a 3e3oryC and
$rs. Besant #as .nder the infl.ence of !.W. 1ead6eaterC di/er5in5 e/ery year 3ore and
3ore fro3 the ori5inal teachin5s #hich she had recei/ed fro3 :.P.B.
I <.oteI -When I see D9eo5raphical SocietyC) I .nderstand it is a Society for 5atherin5
and spreadin5 kno#led5e of 5eo5raphyG the DAstrono3ical Society) deals si3ilarly #ith
astrono3yG and it see3s to 3e that the Theosophical Society o.5ht to ha/e so3e connection
#ith Theosophy . . . . It see3s to 3e that 3any other Societies teach Brotherhood . . . . What
ha/e #e to differentiate .s fro3 other societiesC if it 6e not the 3ission of spreadin5 the
kno#led5e of s.ch fra53ents of TheosophyC of the :idden Wisdo3C of the Secret DoctrineC as
3ay 6e placed in o.r hands? . . .9ranted that the Theosophical Society has no creedC and
teaches no doctrineG none the less is it #itho.t fo.ndation .nless it 6e 6.ilt on the rock of the
:idden Wisdo3. By all 3eans open its door #ide that all 3ay enter itG 6.t let no Theosophist
deny that it is 6.ilt on the s.re 6asis of the 4soteric Doctrine . . . . If those #ho enter the T.S.
are ne/er to e3er5e fro3 the chrysalis state #hich is <.ite per3issi6le at their entryC they
see3 likely to pro/e as stationary as the chrysalisC instead of passin5 on#ards into a
3o/e3ent #hich is to s#ay the destinies of the #orld . . . . Bitter #ill 6e the str.55le in the
t#entieth cent.ry 6et#een the dyin5 3ateriality and the 5ro#in5 spirit.ality of the #orldC and it
lies in o.r hands today to stren5then the forces #hich then shall #ork for 5ood. And so I
plead to all Theosophists thatC #hile openin5 #ide to all #ho seek the 5ate#ay of the
Theosophical SocietyC they #ho ha/e insi5ht #ill speak o.t in no falterin5 tonesG that they
#ho halt 6et#een t#o opinions shall 6e helped to 3ake their choiceG and that no ill-ti3ed
hesitationC no half-hearted alle5ianceC shall p.t st.36lin5 6locks in the #ay of those #ho
other#ise 3i5ht #alk in safetyC or 3ake o.r #eaker 6rothers s.ppose that their
6lindness is 3ore ad3ira6le than si5ht.- This plea #as 3ade 3ore than fifty years a5oC and
its /alidity is in no #ay i3paired 6y the fact that its a.thor later so far for5ot the ori5inal
i3p.lseC and herself added to the st.36lin5 6locks in the #ay of those #ho looked to her for
5.idance.
In yo.r ina.5.ral addressC yo. say that #hat 6inds the 3e36ers of the Theosophical
Society to5ether is -an a6idin5 ea5erness to .nderstand e/ery aspect of Tr.th-. B.t these
<.alities #hich yo. 3ention Eand ri5htly eBtolF pertain ;.st as 3.ch to 3any people in the
#orld #ho 6elon5 to other societiesC or none at all. They are not eBcl.si/ely characteristic of
the 3e36ers of the T.S. S.relyC a3on5 all the societies in the #orld #hich #ork for
6rotherhood or for tr.thC in their /ario.s #aysC there is no reason for anyone to ;oin the
Theosophical Society in partic.larC .nless it has so3ethin5 .ni<.e to offer. That unique
something is the Theosophy ,hich ,e receied from the Adepts"
This one /ital and i3portant fact is so3ethin5 yo. fail to e3phasiAe in yo.r ina.5.ral
addressC #hich containsC 6esides so 3any inconsistenciesC and lea/es o.t so 3.ch that is
i3portantC that I despair of co/erin5 the 3atter in a li3ited space. In the first placeC yo. open
#ith an -in/ocation to the 9reat 7nes-C #hich seems to 5i/e alle5iance to the AdeptsC yet a
fe# para5raphs f.rther on yo. say -If Theosophy #ere a c.t and dried philosophy stata6le in
6ooks and teachin5sC or ori5inated 6y Teachers #ho3 none 3.st challen5e. . .- Does this
3ean that yo. consider that the Adepts #ho fo.nded the Society 5a/e forth teachin5s #hich
need to 6e challen5ed? 8o. say that not e/en the 5reatest of the Adepts can kno# the
co3plete Di/ine Wisdo3C - #hich one 3.st 5rant. B.t #hat yo. i3ply is that an Adept)s
Wisdo3 is in no #ay 6etter than that of any ordinary 3ortal.
8o. say -We 3.st create ne# Wisdo3sC ne# Theosophies-C as tho.5h any pri/ate
indi/id.al co.ld create a -Theosophy- o.t of his o#n head. Is that #hat yo. really 6elie/e?
7r do yo. 6elie/eC as yo. said a little earlierC that -We Theosophists possess to co33ence
#ith a 6ody of tr.ths kno#n as Theosophy-? We #ho ad/ocate a ret.rn to the 7ri5inal
Pro5ra33e 6elie/e the tr.e definition of -Theosophy- sho.ld 6e so.5htC as $r. Ro5er)s article
indicatesC in the state3ent 3ade in the -Secret Doctrine- Eif yo. do not ha/e at hand the
ori5inal editionC to #hich $r. Ro5er refersC yo. #ill find it on pa5es 20 and 20" of the Third
4ditionF #here it is stated that -The Secret Doctrine is the acc.3.lated Wisdo3 of the A5es-C
acc.3.lated 6y -co.ntless 5enerations of initiated seers and prophets-C #ith e/idence
checked and confir3ed -6y cent.ries of eBperience-. The so.rce of o.r kno#led5e of
Theosophy Ethat part of this Wisdo3 #hich the Adepts sa# fit to co33.nicate to the #orldF
3.st 6e so.5ht in the #ritin5s of those Adepts the3sel/esC - in the -$ahat3a 1etters- and in
the #ritin5s of Their accredited chelaC :.P. Bla/atskyC #ho often #rote .nder her o#n na3e
#ords dictated 6y one of The3.
!an the 3e36ers 6e said to -possess to co33ence #ith a 6ody of tr.ths kno#n as
Theosophy- if they ha/e not st.died these #ritin5s of the Adepts? 8et 3any 3e36ers #ho
ha/e 6een in the Society for 3any years ha/e ne/er e/en tried to read the -$ahat3a
1etters-. What is #orseC the hi5h officials of the Society EeBcept in the !anadian SectionF
ne/er reco33end that the 3e36ers sho.ld read the3. Do yo. think it is /ery likely that the
$astersC no 3atter ho# 3.ch interested They 3ay still 6e in the Theosophical SocietyC #o.ld
5i/e o.t ne# teachin5s thro.5h itC or its officialsG .ntil the Society had learned to st.dy and
appreciate the teachin5s They did 5i/eC so 3any years a5o? 8o. #ant to 5o on to -ne#
Theosophies-C 6.t say #e -co33ence #ith- a certain 6ody of tr.ths. !an there 6e any profit
in the atte3pt to 5o on to ne# endea/ors .ntil #e ha/e thoro.5hly st.died they ori5inal
teachin5s #ith #hich #e #ere to -co33ence-?
We #ho are tryin5 to create in the Theosophical Society an interest in the 7ri5inal
Pro5ra33e and the ori5inal teachin5s ha/e no desire to li3it or st.ltify o.r fello# 3e36ers.
We 3erely #ish that all so-called Theosophists sho.ld indeed co3e to possess -to
co33ence #ith- that -6ody of tr.ths- #hich the Adept-+o.nders 5a/e the #orld .nder the
na3e of Theosophy. Will yo.C as PresidentC 5i/e yo.r s.pport to this effort?
The lines of acti/ity #hich yo. ad/ocate in yo.r ina.5.ral addressC - classes to
-create-C to #ork #ith art or 3.sic or dancin5C - all ha/e their place in life. B.t is a lod5e-roo3
of the Theosophical Society their place? 1ife is shortC and e/en tho.5h #e shall ha/e other
li/es and other opport.nitiesC #o.ld it not 6e 6etter for .sC kar3icallyC if in this life #e ha/e had
the 5reat opport.nity of 6ein5 6ro.5ht into to.ch #ith the Theosophical SocietyC if #e #ere to
.tiliAe that contact to st.dy the one .ni<.e thin5 #hich the Theosophical possessesC and in
#hich it differs fro3 all the other philosophical and philanthropical societies in the #orldC - the
ori5inal teachin5s of its o#n Adept-+o.nders?
SincerelyC
ESi5nedF Anna >. Winner.
$rs. Anna >. WinnerC
2% S. 0th St.C
Philadelphia (C Pa.C H.S.A.
- Canadian TheosophistC $ay 1%C 10"'
-----------------------
[**]
!L$:e'#l C#tol$% Cu'%!
Kuestion - I cannot .nderstand #hat the ter3 1i6eral !atholic 3eans and ho# it can
6e a part of Theosophy. Please do help 3e to .nderstandC 6eca.se there see3s to 6e so3e
3ystery a6o.t it all. Is a 1i6eral !atholic a person #ho #as a Ro3an !atholic and left the
R.!. !h.rch to 6eco3e a 1i6eral !atholic? What then is a 1i6eral !atholic? Are 1i6eral
!atholics considered a hierarchy in the Theosophical $o/e3ent? 7r are they ;.st a separate
#in5 or 6randC and if this is so ho# do they differ fro3 other Theosophists? - S.S.
5lsie BenCamin - By no 3eans is the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch a sort of hierarchy
e/ery#here in the Theosophical SocietyC or 3ore 6roadly speakin5C in the Theosophical
$o/e3ent.
I consider the for3in5 and contin.in5 of the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch #ithin the lar5est
of the /ario.s Theosophical SocietiesC or closely connected #ith itC one of the #orst thin5s
that has happened to Theosophy since the death of :.P. Bla/atsky.
B.tC yesC alasC there are 3any Theosophists or st.dents of Theosophy #ithin that
Society #hich has its International :.P. at AdyarC IndiaC and its @ational :.P. at 9lo.cester
Place in 1ondon Land other @ational :ead<.arters in other co.ntriesMC #ho are de/oted
1!!)sC tho.5h ho# they can 6e and still call the3sel/es Theosophists is 6eyond 3y
co3prehension. The introd.ction of the 1!! after :.P.B.)s death #as ;.st one of the reasons
#hy the ori5inal Society 6roke .p into se/eral 5ro.psC 3any preferrin5 to keep to Theosophy
and to ha/e nothin5 to do #ith the 1!! and se/eral di/a5ations.
@oC a 1i6eral !atholicC #ithin the ter3s .sed a3on5 s.ch theosophical st.dentsC #as
not EnecessarilyF a Ro3an !atholic. I s.ppose 3ost of the3 #ere 6orn into the !hristian
!h.rch or the !hristian +aithC and didn)t #ant to let 5o of the )lesser) #hen they had the
chance of e36racin5 the )5reater.)
I sho.ld say that I think yo.r o#n int.iti/e discern3ent #as /ery 3.ch ali/e #hen yo.
felt i3pelled to t.rn aside fro3 -Theosophy- thinkin5 the 1!! #as a part of it. 8o. can)t
i3a5ine the tro.6le it has ca.sed those of .s #ho treas.re 5en.ine TheosophyC since the
ti3e itC the 1!!C #as foisted on the T.S.C and the tro.6le it still ca.ses.
- 5clectic TheosophistC =.ly 1%C 10("
------------------
[*+]
-AHAT-AS AND &ELI<ION
4ditorC Canadian Theosophist(
SirC-
It 3.st 6e /ery hard for those st.dents #ho ha/e a real yen for a personal 9od and for
the practices of or5aniAed reli5ion to face those oft <.oted #ords fro3 chapter ten of the
$ahat3a 1etters #hich sho# that in their opinion these thin5s E9od and reli5ionF far fro3
6ein5 the 6eneficent thin5s they are .s.ally held to 6eC are in fact the chief so.rce of the e/il
#hich has do55ed the steps of h.3anity do#n the a5es. Apart fro3 the o6/io.s co.rse of
in/esti5atin5 in the 3ost i3partial spirit one can s.33onC to decide for oneself the tr.th or
other#ise of this ad3ittedly 3ost a3aAin5 state3ent of the Adepts and either co3in5 to the
concl.sion that the $ahat3as are ri5htC or that they do not kno# #hat they are talkin5 a6o.tC
there is a third #ay #hich so3e ha/e fo.nd as the follo#in5 three instances sho#s.
1. $any #ill re3e36er $r. 1oft.s :areC a sta.nch TheosophistC #ell-kno#n and
pro3inent in British Theosophical circles t#enty-fi/e years a5o. :e had fo.5ht to free the T.S.
fro3 the political do3ination of the 4.S.C and had eBposedC to the satisfaction of 3anyC
!.W.1.)s i3pro/isations in fakin5 the Lies of Alcyone and in 'an +o,( 8hence and 8hither.
:e had eBposed and fo.5ht the s.6;.5ation of the T.S. lod5es to the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rchC
and yetC #hen the 'ahatma Letters #ere p.6lished he lost no ti3e in #ritin5 a 6ook #hich
pro/ed Eto his o#n satisfactionF that :.P.B. herself had #ritten the 1etters. $r. :are had 6een
a sincere P.aker all his years and his fello# st.dents #ere forced to concl.de that rather than
see his 9od dissol/e into Infinit.de Eas the 'ahatma Letters insistF he took this #ay o.t.
2. When the $ahat3a 1etters #as p.6lished it #as a6.ndantly clear that its teachin5
conflicted fla5rantly #ith the c.rrent teachin5 of A.B. and !.W.1. Still #orseC the foistin5 of a
ne#ly p.rloined ch.rch .pon the lod5es Eat the instance of the $astersC accordin5 to !.W.1.F
conflicted /iolently #ith the $ahat3as) state3ent in the 1etters that the chief ca.se of the
e/ils #hich p.rs.e 3ankind is -The sacerdotal casteC the priesthood and the ch.rches-.
Res.ltI the 'ahatma Letters #ere 6anned in the lod5es and the #ay #as kept open for
Pse.do-Theosophy and the 1i6eral !atholic !h.rch. So3e years after the 1etters #ere
p.6lished $r. =inara;adasa infor3ed .s that they #ere not a relia6le eBpression of the
$ahat3as teachin5G they had 6een #ritten lar5ely 6y chelas. This con/enient eBplanation
#as the #ay o.t chosen 6y the 1eaders at Adyar to preser/e their ch.rch and teachin5.
Incidentally it depri/ed tho.sands of st.dents of the .ni<.e opport.nity of contactin5 the real
+o.nders of the Theosophical $o/e3ent directly thro.5h their o#n #ritin5s.
. And no# in yo.r Septe36er iss.e of the !.T. pa5e 12'C $r. Wea/er has fo.nd still
another #ay o.t. The $ahat3a #ritin5s Eit see3sF are s.6;ect to the possi6ility of fa.lty
interpretation 6eca.se lan5.a5e pro6le3s 3ade it diffic.lt for the $ahat3as to co33.nicate
ideas eBactly. To anyone #ho has read one pa5e of the re3arka6ly clear and intensely /ital
eBpressions of tho.5ht in the 'ahatma LettersC co33ent is .nnecessaryG and #hen one
re3e36ers that it is said that the $ahat3a #ho #rote the chapter partic.larly in <.estionC
#as ed.cated at 7Bford there does not see3 to 6e 3.ch 3ore #hich needs sayin5.
We all feel <.ite s.re that #e #ant the tr.th and 6elie/e that #e ha/e the #ill to follo#
#hither it leadsG 6.t #hen o.t of the 6l.e co3es a challen5e to so3e cherished pre;.diceC to
so3e ill.sion cl.n5 to since childhood perhapsC or finds oneself in so3e i3passe s.ch as the
1eaders at Adyar #ere in #hen the 1etters #ere p.6lishedC then and only then does one
disco/er the po#er of the forces #ithin oneself #hich ha/e to 6e con<.ered if one is in reality
to 6eco3e that rare thin5C a lo/er of tr.th.
- W. 4. Wilks.
- Canadian TheosophistC +e6.C 10%
---------------------
[*0]
THE THEOSOPHICAL -OVE-ENT
The Theosophical $o/e3ent differs fro3 these t#o 5ro.ps L4thical !.lt.reC and
:.3anist $o/e3entsM in that it offers a theory of kno#led5e in/ol/in5 transcendental
ass.3ptions a6o.t the nat.re of thin5s. TheosophyC accordin5 to its chief nineteenth cent.ry
eBponentC $ada3e :elena Petro/na Bla/atskyC is characteriAed 6y 6elief in the eternal
eBistence of the 9nosis - act.al kno#led5e or #isdo3 concernin5 the nat.re of thin5s. While
Theosophy declared .nco3pro3isin5 opposition to the s.pernat.ralis3 of a personal 9odC it
proposed that all 3en #ere possessed of latent deific po#ersC and co.ld .lti3ately 6eco3e
-$asters of Wisdo3.- This philosophical positionC ho#e/erC #hen slo5aniAed 6y i33at.re
3e36ersC created eBtre3e haAards for the Theosophical SocietyC since those #ho #ere to all
appearance ordinary h.3an 6ein5s e/ent.ally #ere fo.nd i3plyin5 that they had attained to
spirit.al hei5hts not yet reached 6y the co33on herdC and entitledC thereforeC to special
reco5nition as Theosophical a.thorities. In conse<.ence of this de/elop3entC splits occ.rred
in the SocietyC .ntil there #ere three schis3atic 5ro.psC or5aniAed 3ore or less like ch.rchesC
each clai3in5 to 6e the tr.e channel of inspiration. It #as ine/ita6le that the ed.cated p.6lic
sho.ld sho# little respect for a 3o/e3ent displayin5 s.ch self-discreditin5 6eha/ior. What
happened in this instance sho.ld hardly 6e re5arded as s.rprisin5C since #hene/er
transcendental ideas of 5reat s.6tlety are pro3oted 6y 5ro.p enth.sias3C the ideas tend to
6e /itiated into a creed 6y the /ery lan5.a5e of the -;oiners.- +ro3 this 5ro#s the a.thority of
-5ro.p- 6eliefs. This record sho.ld 6e instr.cti/eC for there is little or no 6asis for any sort of
reli5io.s a.thoritarianis3 in the #ritin5s of :.P. Bla/atskyC #hich are a searchin5 in<.iry into
ancient reli5ions. Th.s the history of the Theosophical $o/e3ent sho.ld 6e a .sef.l -case-
history- to refer to #hen conte3platin5 the proposal of an or5aniAation de/oted to the <.est
for philosophical tr.th. It is one thin5 to set .p a principle of -no a.thorityC- 6.t <.ite another
to 3ake it standC especially #hen the 5oal is h.3an de/elop3ent. At any rateC the contin.in5
/i5or of the Theosophical $o/e3ent see3s to reside 3ostly in the efforts of relati/ely
.nor5aniAed indi/id.als #ho are p.rs.in5 their st.dies and #ork #itho.t interest in
or5aniAational a.thoritiesC or in spite of the3.
- 'anasC Dec. 1C 10%"
- Canadian TheosophistC @o/-DecC 10%%
-----------------------
[*1]
-A&S AND THE EA&TH O
The apparent contradiction 6et#een the teachin5 of the $asters as p.t for#ard 6y their
direct 3essen5erC :. P. Bla/atskyC and as .nderstood 6y $r. Sinnett is capa6le of /ery easy
eBplanation. The sol.tion t.rns on the #ords -solar syste3-. If that ter3 6e held to denote
the solar syste3 kno#n to Western ScienceC the sentence 5i/en 6y $r. Sinnett is
3eanin5lessG 6.t reference to the series of letters fro3 #hich the isolated passa5e
respectin5 $ars is <.oted at once sho#s the 3eanin5 attached to the -solar syste3- in the
correspondence. I nat.rally t.rned to the letters the3sel/es - copies of #hich I ha/e to
sol/e the p.AAleC and I fo.nd that $aster >. :. .sed the ter3 in a special and <.ite definite
sense.
:e eBplains three kinds of 3an/antarasC pralayasC etc. - .ni/ersalC solarC and 3inor. A
3inor 3an/antara is co3posed of se/en ro.ndsC i"e"( the circ.it se/en ti3es of a planetary
chain of se/en 5lo6es. To s.ch a chain o.r earth 6elon5s. A solar period consists of se/en
s.ch se/enfold ro.ndsC i"e.C forty-nineG se/en s.ch planetary chains co3pose a -solar
syste3-G in three of s.ch chains o.r 4arthC $arsC and $erc.ry for3 the D 5lo6e. 9lo6e D of
the $ars chain and 5lo6e D of the $erc.ry chain are /isi6le to .sC 6eca.se those chains are
s.fficiently near o.r o#n in
-------------
O P.6lished also in LuciferC of @o/e36erC 1,0
-------------
e/ol.tionC one 6ehind .sC one ahead of .sC for their 3atter to affect o.r sensesC #hile the
re3ainin5 fo.r chains are too far a#ay in e/ol.tion to ha/e eno.5h in co33on #ith .s for
/isi6ility. $ars and $erc.ry 6ear a special relation to o.r 4arth in the #hole e/ol.tion of the
solar syste3C tho.5h not part of the 4arth chain. The other fo.r planetary chains 6elon5in5 to
o.r soar syste3 are too far 6ehind .s or in front of .s for e/en their 5lo6es D to 6e seen.
7ther planets 6elon5in5 to the solar syste3 of Science as arran5ed in the West do not
6elon5 to the solar syste3 of the 4soteric PhilosophyC and it is the i5norin5 of this #hich has
led to the conf.sion. A #estern reader nat.rally 5i/es the ter3 his o#n senseC not kno#in5
that in the teachin5s it #as .sed in a <.ite different one. And soC once 3oreC #e find the
$asters) doctrines self-consistent.
- Annie Besant
@7T4. The a6o/e articleC sent for coincident p.6lication in PAT: and LuciferC is an
i3portant contri6.tionC as it f.rnishes a final eBplanation #hichC if properly takenC #ill tend to
ass.a5e contro/ersy. 7n pa5e 1I'C *ol. IC #ecret &octrine( the the a.thorC referrin5 to this
s.6;ect in a foot noteC saysI -!opies of all the letters recei/ed or sent #ith the eBception of a
fe# pri/ate ones - )in #hich there #as no teachin5)C the $aster says - are #ith the #riter-.
So3e 3ay ha/e i3a5ined that this state3ent in the foot note #as a -license- taken 6y the
a.thor of the #ecret &octrineC 6.t s.rprises are not .nco33onC and there see3s to 6e /ery
little do.6t a6o.t the tr.th of the assertion. It is eBtre3ely easy to 3is.nderstand in respect to
the -al3ost ideal 3achinery of the occ.lt !os3os- #hen #e are dealin5 #ith it in 4n5lish
#ords prod.ced 6y a thoro.5hly 3aterialistic de/elop3entC 6.t in the co.rse of ti3e the
teachin5s 5i/en o.t all #ill 6e fo.nd in har3ony as o.r /ie#s eBpand. The #ord -solar))C for
instanceC connotes only ideas in relation to the /isi6le s.nC and yet it is the only 4n5lish #ord
#e co.ld .se if #e #ished to speak of an .nseen solar or6 s.perior to and 5o/ernor of o.r
/isi6le one. In ti3eC ho#e/erC all these perpleBities #ill 6e relie/ed. - 4d. LL=.d5eMM
EThe /athC Dec.C 1,0F
----------------------
[*2]
[On -#'s #n( -e'%u';]
A contri6.tor sends 3e the follo#in5 co33.nicationC #hich I f.lly adoptI
-In Lucifer's )Watch-To#er) EDece36erC 1,0%F the editor .ndertakes to eBplain finally
the <.estion of $ars and the 4arth-chain of 9lo6es. !onsidera6le ass.rance is sho#n in the
eBpression of the /ie#s th.s p.t for#ardC only s.rpassedC perhapsC 6y the ass.rance sho#n
#hen the sa3e #riter eBpressed dia3etrically opposite /ie#s a6o.t t#o years a5o in an
article on )$ars and the 4arth) EThe PAT:C /ol. /iiiC p. 2(2G LuciferC /ol. BiiiC p. 22'F. That
article #as #ritten 6y its a.thor in @e# 8ork for p.6lication in 6oth ;o.rnals.
-The editor of LuciferC no# sayin5C )The facts Lrecently re/ised are theseC) proceeds to
state that $ars and $erc.ry are 5lo6es of the 4arth-chain. In the article on )$ars and the
4arthC) already referred toC the sa3e #riter stated that $ars and $erc.ry #ere not 5lo6es of
the 4arth-chainC correctly pointin5 o.t that to hold that they #ere #o.ld /iolate the
f.nda3ental principles of :.P.B.)s teachin5C and concl.din5 #ith the #ordsC 'And so( once
more( ,e find the 'asters' doctrines sell-consistent"'
-It #o.ld 6e .seless to re/i/e all the points in a disc.ssion #hich #as a3ply /entilated
nearly t#o years a5o. In an article entitled )$ars and $erc.ryC) 6y Willia3 P. =.d5eC #hich
appeared in the PAT: E/ol. /iiiC pp. 0(-122F the 3atter #as #ell s.33ed .p as follo#sI )The
t#o $asters #ho had to do #ith 5soteric Buddhism and the #ecret &octrine ha/e distinctly
saidI firstC that none of the other 5lo6es of the earth-chain are /isi6le fro3 its s.rfaceG
secondC that /ario.s planets are /isi6le in the sky to .s 6eca.se they are in their o#n t.rn
fo.rth-plane planetsC representin5 to o.r si5ht their o#n septenary chainsG thirdC that the siB
co3panion 5lo6es of the earth are .nited #ith it in one 3assC 6.t differ fro3 it as to class of
s.6stanceG fourthC that $r. Sinnett 3is.nderstood the3 #hen he tho.5ht they 3eant to say
that $ars and $erc.ry #ere t#o of the siB fello#-5lo6es of the earth - and this correction they
3ake 3ost positi/ely in the #ecret &octrineG lastlyC they ha/e said that the entire philosophy
is one of correspondencesC and 3.st 6e so /ie#ed in e/ery part. . . If #e ad3it that $ars and
$erc.ry are t#o /isi6le planets of the se/enfold chain 6elon5in5 to the earthC then the
consistency of the philosophy is destroyedC for as it is #ith planetsC so it is #ith 3an. 4/ery
planetC considered for the 3o3ent as an indi/id.alC is to 6e analyAed in the sa3e #ay as a
sin5le h.3an 6ein5C s.6;ect to the sa3e la#s in the sa3e #ay. :enceC if t#o of the principles
of the earth are /isi6leC that isC $ars and $erc.ryC then #hy is it that t#o of 3an)s se/en
principles are not /isi6leC in addition to his 6ody? In his se/enfold constit.tion his 6ody
represents the earth in her septenary chainC 6.t he cannot see o6;ecti/ely any other of his
principles. The philosophy 3.st 6e consistent thro.5ho.t.)
-If the editor of 1.cifer carries these recently re/ised )factsC) as 5i/en in the last
Dece36er iss.eC to their lo5ical concl.sionC #e 3ay eBpect in f.t.re iss.es of that 3a5aAine
a record of so3e entertainin5 eBperi3ents in clair/oyance #ith the o6;ect of )findin5 S3ith)s
physical 6odyC) #ith the possi6le res.lt that it #ill 6e disco/ered as =onesC a #anderer on
another continentC 6lissf.lly i5norant that S3ith is his *ama or lo#er 3indC as the case 3ay
6e. S3ith)s Buddhic or other principle #ill perhaps 6e fo.nd o6;ecti/iAed as a :ind. yogi -
6.t #hat #o.ld happen if the yogi #ere to die 6efore S3ith? And ho# a6o.t S3ith)s fo.r
in/isi6le principles E9lo6es AC BC +C and 9FC s.pposed to 6e careerin5 thro.5h space in
6e#ilderin5 independence of la#C rhy3eC reason or analo5y?
-7n the #holeC the teachin5 of the #ecret &octrine is likely to re3ain the standardC at
least of co33on-senseC and I for one prefer to think that neither the principles of the 4arth-
chain nor the principles of 3an are physically separate fro3 each other in different parts of
spaceC 6.t that all are in )coad.nitionC) as the $aster #rote.-
----------
St.dents #ill do #ell to refer to the for3er disc.ssion on this s.6;ectC s.fficiently
co3plete to render f.rther co33ent needless. The follo#in5 articles sho.ld 6e read in this
connectionI PAT:C -The 4arth-!hain of 9lo6esC- /ol. /iiC %1 and ((C contin.ed in /ol. /iiiC p.
11G -$ars and $erc.ryC- /ol. /iiiC p. 0(G -:o# to S<.are the Teachin5sC- /ol. /iiiC p. 1(2 Ethis
follo#s an article 6y A. P. Sinnett on -4soteric Teachin5-FG -$ars and the 4arthC- /ol. /iiiC p.
2(2. LuciferI /ol. BiiiC pp. %%-%,C 5i/in5 short criticis3s 6y W. >in5slandC -!C =.- and
-9.R.S.$.- of $r. Sinnett)s articleG /ol. BiiiC p. 22'C -$ars and the 4arthC- 6y Annie Besant.
St.dents sho.ld also refer to -A Word on the #ecret &octrineC- 5i/in5 <.otations fro3 a letter
of $aster >. :.)s to !ol. 7lcottC #hich appeared in the PAT:C /ol. /iiiC p. 222C #ith a
preli3inary note si5ned ;ointly 6y Annie Besant and Willia3 P. =.d5e.
EThe /athC $archC 1,0'F
--------------------
[*4]
-A&S AND -E&CU&Y
By @ellie DalAell
$r. =inara;adasa has reintrod.ced this s.6;ect in the Theosophist of Dec. 10%1 on
Pa5e 1,(. 7n Pa5e 1,0 he <.otes fro3 $r. Sinnett)s A.to6io5raphy -interestin5 sideli5hts
re5ardin5 the ori5inal letter fro3 the $ahat3aC and his /ie# E$r. Sinnett)sF of the
contradictory teachin5 in the #ecret &octrine.-
-I kno# that there had 6een no a36i5.ity in the $aster)s ori5inal teachin5 concernin5
$ars and $erc.ryC and I #as p.AAled 6y a /a5.e feelin5 that I #as fa3iliar #ith 6its of the
letter p.6lished in the Secret Doctrine.
This led 3e so3e ti3e after#ards to h.nt thro.5h the early lettersC all of #hich I had of
co.rse caref.lly preser/edC and I fo.nd the letter in <.estionC also findin5 to 3y s.rprise that
the 7.1. E7ld 1adyC i.e. :.P.B.F had /ent.red to 5ar6le and o3it parts of it so as to 3ake it
appear to s.stain her /ie# #hen in reality it did nothin5 of the kind. I refrained fro3 3akin5 a
dist.r6ance in the 3atterC ass.red 6y the $aster that the eBplanation concernin5 $ars and
$erc.ry in 4soteric B.ddhis3 #as perfectly correct.-
+.rther on $r. Sinnett #ritesI -I decided at last that I #o.ld take the ori5inal letterC
#hich $ada3e Bla/atsky had so stran5ely 3is.sed in The #ecret &octrine to a 3eetin5 of
Theosophists at the A/en.e Rd. and eBpose the #hole affair. I act.ally #ent to the 3eetin5
#ith the letter in 3y pocket - and did not carry o.t the eBpos.re. I s.ppose I #as infl.enced
to refrain. I ret.rned ho3e and restored the letter to the 6oB containin5 all the rest.-
At a later date he says #hen he opened the 6oB to look at the ori5inal letterC it #as not
there?? EIt #asC ho#e/erC fo.nd for $rs. Besant)s per.salC and #as a3on5 the letters #hich
ca3e into $r. Tre/or Barker)s possession and is no# p.6lished in The 'ahatma Letters on
Pa5e 1",.F
$r. Sinnett 3akes t#o definite acc.sations a5ainst $ada3e Bla/atsky.
E1F She 5ar6led the $aster)s letter.
E2F She .sed the 5ar6led /ersion in order that her o#n personal /ie# 3i5ht 6e
s.stained.
:ere is $r. Sinnett)s <.estion as it appears in The 'ahatma LettersI -2. What other
planets of those kno#n to ordinary scienceC 6esides $erc.ryC 6elon5 to o.r syste3 of
#orlds?-
-Are the 3ore spirit.al planets EA. B. and 8. &.F /isi6le 6odies in the sky or are all those
kno#n to Astrono3y of the 3ore 3aterial sort?-
Ans#er on pa5e 1('.
-$ars and fo.r other planets of #hich astrono3y kno#s yet nothin5. @either AC BC nor
8C &C are kno#nG nor can they 6e seen thro.5h physical 3eans ho#e/er perfected.-
:.P.B. in The #ecret &octrineC *ol. IC Pa5e 1'C #roteC -It #as asked DWhat planets of
those kno#n to ordinary scienceC 6esides $erc.ryC 6elon5 to o.r syste3 of #orlds?) E:ereC
the #ord other 6et#een D#hat) and Dplanets) has 6een o3ittedF.
The reply #asC - -$arsC etc.C and fo.r other planets of #hich astrono3y kno#s nothin5.
@either AB. nor 8& are kno#n nor can they 6e seen thro.5h physical 3eans ho#e/er
perfected.- S.D. IC 1'.
:ereC )etc.) #as added after $arsC and Dyet) o3itted fro3 6et#een Dkno#s) and
-nothin5).
The addition and o3issions do not chan5e the sense of <.estion and ans#er in the
least. In 3y dictionaryC the #ord 5ar6le has this 3eanin5 -To chan5e in;.rio.sly a doc.3entC
reportC etc. .s.ally #ith the intent of falsifyin5C to 3.tilate - per/ert.- !an $r. =inara;adasa
serio.sly and honestly say that the o3ission of Dother) and Dyet)C and the addition of )etc.) ha/e
that effect in this case?
The <.estionC and the ans#erC certainly 5i/e no reason for the ass.3ption that the
h.3an e/ol.tion of 4arth ca3e fro3 $ars and #ill 5o on to $erc.ryC as is .nderstoodC 6y
3ost people #ho st.dy A.B. and Sinnett)s eBpansion of the ans#er in the chapter on
planetary chains in 5soteric Buddhism. If this #as the o6;ect of the <.estionC and the ans#er
dealt #ith itC then 6oth #ereC as :.P.B. saysC /a5.eC to say the least.
The #ecret &octrineC *ol. IC Pa5e 1''C <.otes fro3 another letterC #hich saysI
-7.r 9lo6eC as ta.5ht fro3 the firstC is at the 6otto3 of the arc of descentC #here the
3atter of o.r perception eBhi6its itself in its 5rossest for3 . . . . . :ence it only stands to
reason that the 5lo6es #hich o/ershado# o.r 4arth 3.st 6e on different and s.perior planes.
In shortC as 9lo6esC they are in coadunition 6.t not in consubstantiality ,ith our earth and th.s
pertain to <.ite another state of conscio.sness.-
+.rther do#n on the pa5e - the sa3e letterC -What I #rote #asC the 3inor Pralaya
concerns only o.r little strings of $lobes. EWe called chains DStrin5s) in these days of lip
conf.sionF. To s.ch a strin5 o.r 4arth 6elon5s. This o.5ht to ha/e sho#n plainly that the
other planets #ere also Dstrin5s) or Dchains'.-
:ere #e are told of the 9lo6al chain as distinct fro3 the Planetary chainI for the se/en
9lo6es are in coad.nitionC attached or .nited to each other yet differin5 in s.6stance. 4ach
other planet is in itself one of a 5lo6al chain. 9lo6e DC of the 4arth !hainC on #hich #e no#
resideC cannot 6e said to 6e in coad.nition #ith $ars or $erc.ryC #hose 5lo6es D are to 6e
plainly seenC and #hose path aro.nd the S.n differs fro3 o.rs.
The $ahat3a >.:. #rote to $r. SinnettI -Be certainC that #ith a fe# .ndetecta6le
3istakes and o3issions not#ithstandin5C yo.r D4soteric B.ddhis3) is the only ri5ht eBpositionC
ho#e/er inco3pleteC of o.r occ.lt doctrines. 8o. ha/e 3ade no cardinalC f.nda3ental
3istakesC and #hate/er 3ay 6e 5i/en to yo. hereafter #ill not clash #ith a sin5le sentence in
yo.r 6ookC 6.t on the contraryC #ill eBplain a#ay any see3in5 contradiction.
-:o# 5reatly 3istaken #as $r. :.3e)s theory is sho#n 6y the )!hela) in the
Theosophist. With all thatC yo. 3ay feel s.re that neither $. nor I ha/e contradicted each
other in o.r respecti/e state3ents. :e #as speakin5 of the inner - I - of the outer Ro.nd.
There are 3any thin5s yo. ha/e not yet learned 6.t 3ay so3e dayG nor #ill yo. 6e a6le to
e/er co3prehend the process of the obscurations .ntil yo. ha/e 3astered the 3athe3atical
pro5ress of the inner and the outer Ro.nds and learned 3ore a6o.t the specific difference
6et#een the se/en.- E$.1. 02F .
This letter is printed 6et#een t#o others dated 1,,C and is pres.3a6ly of the sa3e
date.
Another letter fro3 Letters from the 'asters of 8isdom( Pa5e %" - dated 1,,, is not
<.oted 6y $r. =inara;adasa. It is fro3 >.:. to !ol. 7lcottC and isC in partC as follo#sI
-I ha/e also noted yo.r tho.5hts a6o.t the DSecret Doctrine). Be ass.red that #hat
she has not annotated fro3 scientific and other #orksC #e ha/e 5i/en or s.55ested to her -
4/ery 3istake and erroneo.s notionC corrected and eBplained 6y her fro3 the #orks of other
theosophistsC WAS !7RR4!T4D B8 $4C 7R H@D4R $8 I@STRH!TI7@. It is a 3ore
/al.a6le #ork than its predecessorC an epito3e of occ.lt tr.ths that #ill 3ake it a so.rce of
infor3ation and instr.ction for lon5 years to co3e.-
Please note the #ords -#orks of other theosophists-. Is it not likely that the
-.ndetecta6le 3istakes and o3issions- had 6y this ti3e led to a 5reat deal of
3is.nderstandin5C and 5soteric Buddhism 3ay 6e one of the #orks here referred to.
Theosophical st.dents are 3eant to st.dyC to try to .nderstand for the3sel/es the
teachin5s of Theosophy. These teachin5s are in The #ecret &octrine and The 'ahatma
Letters" It is only 6y a deter3ined effort to .nderstand that #e can possi6ly 5ather any fr.it
fro3 that st.dy. The .nderstandin5 of others is of no .se to .s. To accept a state3ent
6eca.se $r. This or $rs. That 3akes itC is f.tile.
:.P.B.)s reply to certain co3plaints and strict.res fro3 Dr. :.66e Schleiden isI -the
.ndersi5nedC :.P.B. accepts for her /ie#s and #alk in life no a.thority dead or li/in5C no
syste3 of philosophyC or reli5ion 6.t one - namely( the 5soteric teachings of ethics and
philosophy of those she calls 'A#T5-#" I speak #ith Da6sol.te certainty) only so far as 3y
o#n personal 6elief is concerned. Those #ho ha/e not the sa3e #arrant for this 6elief as I
ha/eC #o.ld 6e /ery cred.lo.s and foolish to accept it on 6lind faith.-
+or a 5ro.p of st.dentsC real st.dentsC there 3ay 6e a doAen different opinions. What
does it 3atter? 7ne sees f.rther aro.nd a corner than the neBt oneC that)s all. The 5ro.p is
ali/e. There #ill 6e 3any errorsC 6.t there #ill 6e 3.ch tr.th alsoC and as ti3e 5oes on tr.th
#ill 5rad.ally 6e separated fro3 errorC and the latter discarded. If all think alikeC the 5ro.p is
dyin5C or dead. There are no acti/e 3indsC eBcept perhaps that of the leader. WeC as
st.dentsC are entitled to st.dy the teachin5s of the $asters for o.rsel/es. We are also
entitled to st.dy the pros and cons of a contro/ersial s.6;ectC s.ch as $ars and $erc.ryC and
to for3 o.r o#n opinions.
The articleC as #ritten 6y $r. =inara;adasa in The Theosophist is one-sided. An
acc.sation is 3ade a5ainst :.P.B. and no proofs are 5i/en. S.relyC in fairnessC $r.
=inara;adasa sho.ld ha/e incl.ded the state3ents fro3 The #ecret &octrine" These #o.ld
ha/e sho#n no e/idence of )5ar6lin5) andC possi6ly they #o.ld ha/e sho#n that the .se of
s.ch #ords as planetsC 5lo6esC #orldsC interchan5ea6ly led to conf.sion.
There is a <.estion of loyalty to the $astersC and to :.P.B. #ho #as their chosen
3essen5erC to 6e considered. I do not 3ean the sort of 6lind loyalty #hich sees no possi6ility
of 3istake in the teacher. We kno# that in all h.3an 6ein5s there is that possi6ility. >.:.
#ritin5 to $r. SinnettC $.1. Pa5e 1,1C saysI
-An AdeptC the hi5hest as the lo#estC is one only( during the e6ercise of his occult
po,ers.-
-An Adept is an ordinary 3ortal at all the 3o3ents of his daily life 6.t those - #hen the
inner 3an is actin5.-
Syllo5ise th.slyI >.:. #hen #ritin5 to .s is not an adept. A non-adept is falli6le.
These teachers are o.r leaders. We tr.st the3 to present the tr.th to .s in s.ch a #ay
that #e 3ay .nderstand itC and 3ost 3istakes are the res.lt of o.r o#n 3is.nderstandin5 or
careless thinkin5. We do not 6la3e the3 if the #ords they .se con/ey to .s a different
3eanin5 fro3 the one they intended. We 3.st look for the inner 3eanin5.
B.t consider. It #as :.P.B. #ho dre# the attention of the $asters to A.P.S. It #as she
#ho ena6led hi3 to enter into correspondence #ith the3. 8et it is he #ho acc.ses her of
chicanery and trickeryC sayin5 she has 5ar6led the letters of the $asters in order to 3aintain
her o#n personal /ie#s. And no# the President of the Society reprints the char5e a5ainst
herC and does not print the state3ents in The #ecret &octrine #hich pro/e ho# .nfo.nded the
char5e is. These actions are not only disloyalC they are .tterly dis5racef.l.
- Canadian TheosophistC A.5.stC 10%2
-----------------------
[*7]
-ISTA5EN NOTIONS
Hnder this headin5C $ada3e :.P. Bla/atsky 3ade the follo#in5 co33ent a3on5
othersC in an article appearin5 in the +e6r.ary 1,, iss.e of -The Theosophist.-
-It is a 5ra/e 3istakeC and a 3isrepresentation of the strictly i3partial attit.de of o.r
paper to 3ake it appear as the or5an of any sect. It is only the or5an of Tr.th as #e can
disco/er it. It ne/er #asC nor #ill it e/er 6eco3eC the ad/ocate of any partic.lar creedC indeedC
its policy is rather to de3olish e/ery do53atic creed the #orld o/er. We #o.ld s.6stit.te for
the3 the one 5reat Tr.th . . . .-
It is refreshin5 and ill.3inatin5 to read the strai5htfor#ard declarations of principles 6y
:.P.B. in the early n.36ers of the TheosophistC and a fe# years laterC in -1.cifer.- The ite3s
in the for3er ha/e 6een partially reprinted in the -!o3plete Works of :.P. Bla/atsky- #hile
so3e of the 6est articles fro3 the latter 3ay 6e fo.nd in -Ra;a-8o5a or 7cc.ltis3- p.6lished
6y Theosophy !o. EIndiaF 1td. or -St.dies in 7cc.ltis3- p.6lished 6y Theosophical Hni/ersity
PressC !o/inaC to #hich #orks the reader is referred for 3ore detailed infor3ation.
7.r re3arks at the 3o3ent #ill pertain to the s.6;ect of !reeds in the a6o/e <.otationC
6.t firstC let .s s.r/ey the historic 6ack5ro.nd.
In +e6r.ary 1,, the Theosophical Society #ith head<.arters then at Bo36ay #as
little 3ore than se/en years old. :.P.B. had p.6lished -Isis Hn/eiled- in 1,((C and in 1,,2
the $asters >.:. and $. 6e5an their correspondence #ith A.P. SinnettC a *ice-President of
the SocietyC and 4ditor of the /ioneer at Allaha6ad. This correspondence contin.ed for a6o.t
fi/e years only in a pri/ate #ayC 6.t 3.ch of it has 6eco3e a/aila6le in recent years in the
4dition of -$ahat3a 1etters to A. P. Sinnett- ;.st recently rep.6lished. B.t at the ti3e in
<.estionC the only so.rces of Theosophical readin5 3aterial #ere -Isis Hn/eiledC- Sinnett)s
-7cc.lt WorldC- and the $a5aAine -The Theosophist.-
Hnder these circ.3stancesC it is needless to re3ark that these #orks #ere st.died
caref.llyC and 6eca.se of their s#eepin5 state3entsC they aro.sed deep <.estions in the
3inds of the 3e36ersC 3any of #ho3 #ere 6ein5 dra#n a#ay fro3 the old esta6lished
reli5ions in /ario.s lands. 1et .s /is.aliAe o.rsel/es in that historic circ.3stanceC holdin5 the
old 6eliefs as it #ereC #ith one handC and tryin5 to 5rasp the ne# tenets #ith the other.
Did :.P.B. deal 5ently #ith these do.6tin5 Tho3as)s? @o. She declared her principles
fearlesslyC positi/ely and definitelyC and let @at.re take its co.rse. 8etC in spite of her
3ethodsC #hich so3e think .nd.ly r.55ed and se/ereC the Society 5re# in n.36ers and in
/italityC for 3any of the keenest 3inds of the day #ere 6ein5 attracted to it.
That #e 3ay deter3ine the land3ark a6o.t !reedsC let .s no# refer to -Isis Hn/eiled-
*ol. 2C pa5e '%I
-$any 3en ha/e arisen #ho had 5li3pses of the tr.thC and fancied they had it all.
S.ch ha/e failed to achie/e the 5ood they 3i5ht ha/e done and so.5ht to doC 6eca.se /anity
has 3ade the3 thr.st their personality into s.ch .nd.e pro3inence as to interpose it 6et#een
their 6elie/ers and the #hole tr.th that lay 6ehind. The #orld needs no sectarian ch.rchC
#hether of B.ddhaC =es.sC $aho3etC S#eden6or5C !al/inC or any other. There 6ein5 6.t one
Tr.thC 3an re<.ires 6.t one ch.rch - the Te3ple of 9od #ithin .sC #alled in 6y 3atterC 6.t
penetra6le 6y any one #ho can find the #ay.-
:a/in5 <.oted fro3 The Theosophist( )sis 2neiledC let .s ascertain #hether the
$asters 3ade any co33ents in their letters to $r. Sinnett. In 1etter QC recei/ed in 1,,2C the
$aster >.:. says thisI
-I #ill point o.t the 5reatestC the chief ca.se of nearly t#o-thirds of the e/ils that p.rs.e
h.3anity e/er since that ca.se 6eca3e a po#er. It is reli5ion .nder #hate/er for3 and in
#hate/er nation. It is the sacerdotal casteC the priesthood and the ch.rches. It is in those
ill.sions that 3an looks .pon as sacredC that he has to search o.t the so.rce of that 3.ltit.de
of e/ils #hich is the 5reat c.rse of h.3anity and that al3ost o/er#hel3s 3ankind. I5norance
created 9ods and c.nnin5 took ad/anta5e of opport.nity. 1ook at IndiaC and look at
!hristendo3 and Isla3C at =.dais3 and +etishis3. It is priestly i3post.re that rendered
these 9ods so terri6le to 3anG it is reli5ion that 3akes of hi3 the selfish 6i5otC the fanatic that
hates all 3ankind o.t of his o#n sect #itho.t renderin5 hi3 any 6etter or 3ore 3oral for it. It
is 6elief in 9od and 9ods that 3akes t#o-thirds of h.3anity the sla/es of a handf.l of those
#ho decei/e the3 .nder the false pretense of sa/in5 the3 . . . Re3e36er the s.3 of h.3an
3isery #ill ne/er 6e di3inished .nto that day #hen the 6etter portion of h.3anity destroys in
the na3e of Tr.thC 3oralityC and .ni/ersal charityC the altars of these false 5ods.-
S.ch #as the 3essa5e of Theosophy in those early days #ith re5ard to creeds. 7ther
<.otations 3i5ht 6e taken fro3 the #orks referred to heretoforeC 6.t the position indicated
#o.ld not 6e altered. That #e 3ay .nderstand the p.rpose of the Theosophical $o/e3ent
then and sinceC #e need to possess clear-c.tC definite and #ell-defined ideas concernin5
f.nda3ental thin5sC of #hich o.r attit.de to creeds is oneC for in d.e ti3e .nder other
leadershipC the Theosophical Society #as di/erted to the consideration and acceptance of
totally dissi3ilar ideas.
- 43ory P. Wood.
- Canadian TheosophistC $arch 1%C 10%2
')#TA*5N N.T).N#
+ro3 the pre/io.s article .nder this headin5C persons .ninfor3ed re5ardin5 the real
#ork and effort of :.P.B. 3i5ht concl.de fro3 the <.otations that the Theosophical Society
#as act.ated 6y and co33itted to the f.lfill3ent of destr.cti/e 3oti/es rather than
constr.cti/e ones.
I #ish to e3phasiAeC ho#e/erC this #as not the case. In all refor3 3o/e3entsC it is
essential so3eti3esC to destroy 6efore a5ain 6.ildin5 .p. We ha/e kno#n cities to 6e al3ost
#iped o.t 6y fireC yet in the si33erin5 ashesC the resol.te citiAens already /is.aliAed
so3ethin5 3ore .p-to-date and 6etterC and in a /ery fe# yearsC e/ery e/idence of the for3er
s<.alor #as o6literated. In a s3aller #ayC #e ha/e all #itnessed old 6.ildin5s 6ein5 torn
do#nC that so3e ne# 3odern edifice 3i5ht take its place. Si3ilarlyC in the #orld of ideasC it is
e<.ally essential to destroy old 3ental concepts and ideolo5iesC #hether politicalC
philosophical or reli5io.sC so that eBpression 3ay 6e 5i/en to the o.t-s.r5in5 ener5y of the
spirit #ithin. 7ther#iseC no pro5ress is possi6le. !onse<.ently :.P.B. ad/ocated the
de3olition of e/ery do53atic and sectarian creedC so that 3ankind 3i5ht #itness the
o.tpo.rin5 of the spirit #ithinC and a5ain realiAe the 6asis of Brotherhood.
The constr.cti/e side of her philosophy #as 3erely hinted at in the state3ent -We
#o.ld s.6stit.te for the3 EcreedsF the one 5reat Tr.thC #hich - #here/er it is - 3.st of
necessity 6e oneC rather than pander to the s.perstitions and 6i5otry of sectarianis3C #hich
has e#er 6een the 5reatest c.rse and the so.rce of 3ost of the 3iseries in this #orld of Sin
and 4/il.- In the Theosophist for $ayC 1,,C f.ller eBpression #as 5i/en to the ori5ination of
ideas.
-7cc.ltis3 teaches .s that ideas 6ased .pon f.nda3ental tr.ths 3o/e in the eternity
in a circleC re/ol/in5 aro.nd and fillin5 the space #ithin the circ.it of the li3its allotted to o.r
5lo6e and the planetary or solar syste3G thatC Enot .nlike Plato)s eternalC i33.ta6le
essencesCF they per/ade the sensi6le #orldC per3eatin5 the #orld of tho.5htG and thatC
contrary to che3ical affinitiesC they are attracted to and assi3ilated 6yC ho3o5eneo.s
.ni/ersals in certain 6rains - eBcl.si/ely the prod.ct of the h.3an 3indC its tho.5hts and
int.itionG that in their perpet.al flo# they ha/e their periods of intensity and acti/ityC as their
d.rations of 3or6id inacti/ity. D.rin5 the for3erC and #hene/er a stron5C i3p.lse is i3parted
on so3e 5i/en point of the 5lo6e to one of s.ch f.nda3ental tr.thsC and a co33.nion
6et#een kindred eternal essences is stron5ly esta6lished 6et#een a philosopher)s interior
#orld of reflection and the eBterior plane of ideasC thenC co5nate 6rains are affected on
se/eral other pointsC and identical ideas #ill 6e 5enerated and eBpression 5i/en to the3 often
in al3ost identical ter3s.-
Th.s the centrif.5al 3otion of ener5yC the positi/e noetic actionC so3eti3es referred to
as 1.ciferC the 1i5ht-6rin5erG or :er3esC the Thrice 9reatestG or !hristC the 1i5ht that li5hteth
e/ery 3an that co3eth into the #orldC is +ireC 1ifeC Str.55leC 4ffortC Tho.5htC !onscio.snessC
Pro5ressC 1i6ertyC Independence. It is dyna3ic 3o/e3entC ad/ance3ent and pro5ression on
the Path#ay. The Reli5ion of the +.t.reC thenC cannot 6e eBpressed do53aticallyC 6eca.se
the inner stri/in5 to#ards the I3personal and Hnattaina6le pro/ides no per3anent stoppin5
place. 4/en the reachin5 o.t in co33.nion #ith hi5her and 5reater intelli5ences pro/ides no
finality.
7n the other handC the static restin5 on tho.5hts EDo53as and !reedsC crystalliAed 6y
the action of ener5y in centripetal 3otionC fro3 #itho.t #ithinCF ho#e/er hoary #ith a5e or
re5arded #ith /enerationC indicates sta5nationC and a dependance on for3s rather than on
spirit. 4ffortC tho.5ht and conscio.sness are dee3ed .nnecessaryC for 6lind faith in the
efficacy of creedsC and in the perfor3ance of rites and cere3oniesC are no# cardinal tenets.
+ro3 the practice of s.chC h.3anity 6eco3es the sla/es of a handf.l of those #ho decei/e
the3 .nder the false pretense of sa/in5 the3.
The Theosophical $o/e3entC as desi5ned 6y the $asters and 5i/en o.t to the #orld
6y $ada3e Bla/atskyC #as an eBpression of ener5y in centrif.5al 3otionC noeticC and actin5
fro3 #ithin o.t#ards. At his present sta5e of de/elop3entC 3an responds predo3inantly to
the psychicC hence it is only #hen the sens.al and the psychic ha/e 6een destroyed 6y an
.ncon<.era6le #ill that the spirit.al can 6e realiAed.
The necessity for a clear .nderstandin5 of the action of the centrif.5al and the
centripetal 3otion of ener5y is all the 3ore essential at this ti3eC 6eca.se in the year 10%2C
the cele6rations incident to the :oly 8ear of Ro3e #ill pro/ide a de3onstration of cere3onial
and rit.alistic 5rande.r .ns.rpassed in the last cent.ry. These in the3sel/es #o.ld 6e
confined to relati/ely fe# of the #orld)s citiAensC eBcept for the fact that Radio 6roadcastsC
@e#spaper and $a5aAine articlesC and $o/ie @e#sC #ith their concentrated e3otional
appealC #ill inoc.late 3any .nthinkin5 persons #ith its psychic 3ias3a. 4la6orate
cere3onial /i/ifies the i3a5ination in a 5i/en directionC and co.pled #ith the effecti/e .se of
3o6 psycholo5yC Ro3e hopes to i3press and capti/ate the Western Protestant #orldC and
e/ent.ally .nite all .nder its 6annersC on the plea that !o33.nis3 is o.r co33on ene3y.
7n the one hand is held .p the ideal of State do3inationC and on the other 4cclesiastical.
Both are the eBpression of the psychic 3otion of ener5yC and fro3 the Theosophical
standpointC 6oth are e<.ally e/il. We hope to ha/e 3ore to say in this re5ard in f.t.re
articles.
- 4. P. W.
- Canadian TheosophistC April 1%C 10%2
----------------
[+8]
THE ETHE&IC DOU/LE ?
T+5 1A---5AC+)N$ 5115CT# .1 A 1AL#5 A##2'/T).N
- 9.A. +ART:I@9
- =H@4 100%
----------------
DIFFERENCES IN THEOSOPHICAL TEACHINGS
A@ 4QA$I@ATI7@ 7+ S7$4 7+ T:4 DI++4R4@!4S I@ DATA A@D
T4R$I@71798 B4TW44@ T:4 7RI9I@A1 1IT4RATHR4 A@D 1AT4R *4RSI7@S
6y 9.A. +ART:I@9C =H@4 100%
)ntroduction
There are 3any of the 3ore tho.5htf.l st.dents of Theosophy and 3any teachers #ho
are 5en.inely conf.sed at the discrepancies they find 6et#een #hat has 6eco3e kno#n as
second 5eneration Theosophy Ethe Annie Besant N !.W. 1ead6eater or A.B.N!.W.1. syste3F
and the teachin5s of the t#o $asters instr.3ental in settin5 .p the Theosophical Society and
introd.cin5 Theosophy as 5i/en o.t thro.5h :.P. Bla/atsky Ethe :. P. B. N $asters syste3F.
These discrepancies do not co3e to li5ht as lon5 as only one syste3 is st.died. In the
3inds of s.ch st.dents there are no diffic.lties or inconsistencies to #orry a6o.t. The attit.de
can then #ell 6e that really there cannot 6e any serio.s di/er5ences 6eca.se s.rely the
so.rce of dataC the 3ain o.tlines of the 4soteric ScienceC are co33on to 6oth syste3sC
therefore discrepancies are likely to 6e tri/ial and really inconsidera6le. This attit.de is not
really tena6le 6.t it is one 5enerally held 6y those #ho ha/e st.died nothin5 6.t second
5eneration literat.re. $oreo/erC it is this second 5eneration literat.re #hich has 6eco3e the
co33only accepted one thro.5ho.t the Adyar Society and 5enerally in the #orld at lar5e. Its
classifications of the principles of 3an and the planes of !os3os are no# the co33only
accepted ones. They do not accordC ho#e/erC #ith those ori5inally 5i/en o.t in the /ast
Bla/atsky literat.re. So3e of the areas of difference are presented and eBa3ined in this
article. It #ill 6e seen that nearly all hin5e on the introd.ction into the A. B.N!.W.1. literat.re of
the 4theric Body
--- 2
into the constit.tion of 3an. $any alterations not only to that constit.tion 6.t also to the
planes of @at.re had to 6e 3ade to acco33odate this introd.ctionC chiefly to preser/e a
se/enfold classification.
The p.rpose of this paper is not only to point o.t the discrepancies 6.t to de3onstrate
that they are .n;.stified 6eca.se there is not and cannot 6e s.ch a thin5 as an 4theric Body
constit.ted as descri6ed 6y 1ead6eater.
The ra3ifications of the i3possi6ility of there 6ein5 s.ch a 6ody are disc.ssed.
#ome Areas of &ifference
The 3ain areas of difference are in the classification of the h.3an principles and the
)planes) of 6ein5. These differences ste33ed fro3 the di/ision in the A. B.N!.W.1. syste3 of
the physical plane into se/en s.6-planesC #ith three of the3 re5arded as dense physical and
fo.r as )etheric)C a ter3 first .sed 6y 1ead6eater to descri6e fo.r states of 3atter he had
o6ser/ed d.rin5 a clair/oyant eBa3ination of the co33on physical ele3ents.
In the 6ook .ccult Chemistry #hich records so3e prolon5ed and pains-takin5
in/esti5ation #ork done 6y 1ead6eater and Besant o/er a6o.t three decades in their
disco/eries of the 5raded for3ation and the nat.re of the s.6-ato3ic a55re5ations that 3ake
.p physical ato3sC there is a passa5e to#ards the end descri6in5 fo.r pre-nor3al states of
the co33on ele3ents of !ar6onC :ydro5enC @itro5en and 7By5en #hich 1ead6eater na3ed
)etheric). :e added that this #as done )perhaps .nad/isedly) Esee .ccult Chemistry re/ised
edition 1010C ta6le opposite p.(C and AppendiB after p.120F. :e said this 6eca.se of the
sense in #hich the #ord )ether) #as then 6ein5 co33only .sed. 4ther #as then re5arded as
the post.lated .ni/ersal all-per/adin5 )s.6stance) #hich con/eyed electro-3a5netic /i6rations
s.ch as heatC li5htC electric char5eC etc.C thro.5ho.t space and thro.5h a /ac..3.
@e/erthelessC the ter3 )etheric) as a6o/e defined #as adopted and 6eca3e 5enerally .sed
thereafter in the A. B.N!.W.1. literat.reC 3akin5 three 5ross statesC i;" solidC li<.id and
5aseo.sC and fo.r etheric states.
It is i3portant to note that these in/esti5ations #ere done clair/oyantlyC orC in the
a.thor)s parlanceC .sin5 astral si5ht Epres.3a6ly in Bla/atsky)s no3enclat.reF. This is
i3portant 6eca.seC accordin5 to the Bla/atsky teachin5sC there is a laya centreC or ne.tral
condition 6et#een
---
each plane of !os3os and it is eBplained that senses of a different order are needed for each
plane. In other #ordsC physical senses #ill not respond to )astral) sti3.li and /ice /ersa. This
3eans that anyone .sin5 )etheric) EastralF si5ht co.ld not 6e seein5 physical 3atter. What
#o.ld 6e seen #o.ld 6e the etheric EastralF co.nterpart of the physicalC not the physical itself.
In order to eBa3ine these )etheric) s.6-ato3ic str.ct.res 1ead6eater had to .se a special
po#er of the #ill EsiddhiF to 6reak do#n the ato3s fro3 their nor3al state Eof 5aseo.sF to the
a6nor3al disinte5rated s.6-states #hich he sa#. It 3.st 6e stressedC ho#e/erC that these
s.6-states of 3atter #ere created 6y 1ead6eater .sin5 his siddhiC and that they do not eBist in
the nor3al #ayC either in the )etheric) EastralF plane or at physical le/el. They ha/e ne/er 6een
o6ser/ed as eBistin5 in the )free) state at physical le/elC altho.5h speci3en states
correspondin5 to the3 3ay eBist .nder a6nor3al conditionsC for eBa3ple d.rin5 sophisticated
and po#erf.l eBperi3ents. If they eBist at physical le/el they #o.ld 6e o6ser/a6le 6y nor3al
physical senses or s.ita6le sense-eBtendin5 instr.3ents. Si3ilarly the astral EBla/atskyF
#orld 6ein5 that fro3 #hich all that is in the physical is protectedC #o.ld contain the
co.nterparts of )etheric) ato3ic states nor3ally Ei"e. #itho.t 1ead6eater ha/in5 to 6reak do#n
ato3s into their constit.ent partsF. :o#e/erC they do notC or he #o.ld ha/e seen the3
#itho.t ha/in5 to .se his siddhi.
If these )etheric) states do not eBist at physical le/elC there is no 3atter of #hich the
)etheric) do.6le co.ld 6e co3posed. That there #asC #as an ass.3ption 3ade 6y
1ead6eater. This ass.3ption co.ld ha/e 6een checked 6y his clair/oyantly eBa3inin5 an
4theric Body direct. There is no record of s.ch an eBa3ination and pres.3a6ly none #as
3adeC i"e. the ass.3ption of the co3position of an 4theric Body #as not checked 6y direct
o6ser/ationC neither #as the real eBistence of s.ch a 6ody Eas descri6edF e/er esta6lished 6y
hi3 or any other person.
The )etheric) states of physical 3atterC or its astral Bla/atsky co.nterpartC #ere )created)
6y 1ead6eaterC and the idea of an )etheric) 6ody or se3i-physical planeC #as an .nso.nd
ded.ction.
--- "
Lead beater's '5theric' #tates of 'atter
The conception of an )4theric Body) and its location on an )etheric) se3i-physical plane
arose fro3 the na3in5 as descri6ed of #hat 3i5ht 6e re5arded as the for3ati/e sta5es of the
ato3s of co33on che3ical ele3entsC 6y a series of a55re5ations of #hat Besant and
1ead6eater called the .lti3ate physical ato3 EAn.F. It is i3portant to note thatC #hereas in
s.ch a de/elop3ental sta5eC i"e. 3o/in5 fro3 one )etheric) state to the neBtC there is a chan5e
in ato3ic str.ct.reC 6.t in the three nor3al states of 3atterC i"e. solidC li<.id and 5aseo.sC
there is no s.ch chan5e. This is an inconsistency fro3 the nor3al process of chan5e of
state.
Besant refers Eon p (2 of The Ancient 8isdomF to these etheric sta5es as )hi5her) than
the physical ato3s of science. There is a serio.s o6;ection to this contention in that the
)etheric) states are clearly for3ati/eC i"e. 3ore pri3iti/e states than those of the ele3ents as
they no# eBist. If there #ere s.ch a thin5 as an 4theric Body it #o.ld 6e lo#er on the
e/ol.tionary scale than the physical 6ody.
+.rther3oreC as pointed o.t a6o/eC apart fro3 the che3ical ele3ents Elisted in the
periodic ta6leF co3posed accordin5 to 1ead6eater of the s.6-ato3ic particles of his
in/esti5ationsC #hich co3prise the )3atter) of o.r o6;ecti/e #orldC 1ead6eater)s s.6-particles
ha/e nor3ally no independent eBistence. Therefore no 6odiesC and no planeC co.ld 6e
co3posed of the3.
Besant laterC consistently #ith the ori5inal EBla/atskyF literat.reC added )fire) to the
5ross physical statesC correspondin5 the classical fo.r ele3ental states of 4arthC WaterC Air
and +ire and the in/isi6le 6ein5sC the ele3entalsC s.pposed in 3ediae/al ti3es to ha/e 6een
associated #ith the3C i;" the 5no3esC the sylphsC the .ndines and the sala3anders. These
fo.r 4le3ents correspond in the ori5inal literat.re to the tatt/ic states of 3atter #hich incl.de
+ire 6.t the A. B.N!.W.1. classification in .ccult Chemistry o3its +ire as a state of 3atterC
ha/in5 ho#e/er its fo.r etheric states. If +ire is incl.ded as an ele3ent there is roo3 only for
three etheric states. In Bla/atsky)s classical sche3e there are se/en tatt/ic states.
--- %
Tattas and corresponding states of 'atter
In se/eral places Bla/atsky identified the fo.r states of 3atterC i;. earthC #aterC airC fireC
and associated the3 #ith ele3entals of correspondin5 classes and #ith the Tatt/as .nder the
:ind. na3es of Prithi/iC ApasC Te;asC *ay.. !ontin.in5 .p the tatt/ic scale she p.t the %th as
Alaya or AkasaC and then 3entioned t#o 3ore a6o/e thatC i;. a 'thC An.padaka and a (thC
Adi. These are the eBpressions .sed in the Ta6le opposite p %22 in S.D.III. E!. W. QIIC '1"G
4. W.C 00F and co3pared #ith the A. B.N!.W.1. no3enclat.re in the ta6le 6elo#I
33The diagram format cannot be reproduced here - dig" ed"44
TA/LE I
!o3parati/e Ta6le of the STAT4S 7+ $ATT4R in the t#o Syste3s
:.P.B.N$asters Syste3 A.B.N!.W.1. Syste3
Tatt/as N @o. N 4le3ents U @o. N States of $atter
States of $atter EHnrelated to Tatt/asF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adi ( Aether EAkasaF 1 4ther " EHlti3ate Physical
Ato3C An.F
An.padaka ' Di/ine +la3e 2 4ther 5theric
Alaya
Eor AkasaF % 4ther 4ther 2 /hysical
Te;as " +ire " 4ther 1
*ay. Air % AirC 5aseo.s
$ross /hysical --
Apas 2 Water ' WaterC li<.id
Prith/i 1 4arth ( 4arthC solid
E+ire o3ittedF
E@ote the in/erted @.36erin5F
-------------
Notes
1F Adi si3ply 3eans first or s.pre3e - not .sed to apply to a plane in the S.D.
2F An.padaka Elit. parentlessF - apart fro3 6ein5 the na3e of a tatt/aC it #as applied to
the se/en Dhyani B.ddhas Esee S.D.IC %(1C rd 4d.C '2"C "th 4d.C 20%F
F The in/ersion of the n.36erin5 sho.ld 6e noted. It is a f.rther ca.se of conf.sion to
st.dents.
--- '
In the S.D. III Ta6le the %th Tatt/a EAlayaF is referred to as AkasaC 6.t is the e<.i/alent
of the 2nd differentiation fro3 AdiI co33only in the teBt of the S.D. Akasa is synony3o.s
#ith AetherC i"e. the one 4le3ent. Alaya is referred to else#here as Eand corresponds toF
4ther. +.rther it 3.st 6e noted that the Ta6le in The #ecret &octrine sho#s the
correspondences of the Tatt/as #ithC a3on5 other thin5sC the h.3an PrinciplesC #hich incl.de
the 1in5a Sarira Eas s.chF. 4ther is si5nificantly 3entioned on p 12 of S.D. I Erd 4d.C "2C "th
4d.C (,F #herein it saysC
-+or clearer .nderstandin5 on the part of the 5eneral readerC it 3.st 6e stated that
7cc.lt Science reco5niAes se/en cos3ical ele3entsC fo.r entirely physical and the %th E4therF
se3i-3aterialC as it #ill 6eco3e /isi6le in the air to#ards the end of o.r +o.rth Ro.ndC to
rei5n s.pre3e o/er the others d.rin5 the #hole of the +ifth. The re3ainin5 t#o are as yet
a6sol.tely 6eyond the ran5e of h.3an perception. These latter #illC ho#e/erC appear as
present3ents d.rin5 the siBth and se/enth Races of this ro.ndC and #ill 6eco3e kno#n in the
siBth and se/enth Ro.nds respecti/ely.-
76/io.sly the first fo.r entirely physical ele3ents are those en.3erated a6o/e and the
fifthC 4therC is in the process of 3anifestin5 no#C 6.t the other ele3entsC #hether re5arded as
4thers or notC are not yet 3anifest on o.r 5lo6e. There is therefore nothin5 in the
:.P.B.N$asters syste3 that co.ld correspond to the A. B.N!.W.1. syste3)s fo.r ethers or
etheric states of 3atter.
#ub-atomic #tates of 'atter
It can 6e askedC if the a6o/e is tr.eC #hat is the 3atter that is 3anifest at spirit.alistic
seances as ectoplas3 and of #hat are the )a.ras) of >irlean photo5raphy co3posed?
To ans#er the second <.estion firstC >irlean photo5raphs are relati/ely hi5h /olta5e
dischar5es affected 6y the e3anations fro3 li/in5 6odiesC or #here a part of a 6ody has 6een
detached Ec.toff or se/ered 6y accidentF the astral Enot ethericF 3odel still re3ainin5 intact
affects the dischar5e. An .nderstandin5 of this in/ol/es a kno#led5e of ho# for3s or 3odels
in the astral are pro;ected into o6;ecti/ity at physical le/el.
The first <.estion concernin5 the eB.din5 of the 3atter called ectoplas3 fro3 3edi.3s
Espirit.alisticF d.rin5 seances in/ol/es a process of the disinte5ration of the physical
s.6stance of the 3edi.3)s 6odyC i"e. the
--- (
creation of a special state of physical 3atter for the ti3e 6ein5. The phanto3)s #ei5ht
increases as that of the 3edi.3 correspondin5ly decreases. 4ctoplas3 is eB.ded as an
a3orpho.s 3ass fro3 an orificeC e"g. 3o.th or nostrilC and then itC or so3e of itC ass.3es a
for3C or a n.36er of for3sC of reco5niAa6le likenesses. These are i3pressed on the
s.6stance 6y psychic EastralF force 6y ele3entals fro3 patterns in the 3inds of those present
or in the Astral 1i5ht.
Bla/atsky descri6es Esee S.D. IC 2%(C rd 4d.C 2'(C "th 4d.C 2%0F #hat characteristic of
3atter #ill correspond to the )etheric) state #hen it does 3anifestC and she says it #ill 6e that
of )per3ea6ility). Alon5 #ith it a siBth sense #ill de/elop in 3an #hich #ill ena6le hi3 to see
)thro.5h) solid 3atter. @ot only thatC in the then proper )etheric) state a solid o6;ect #ill 6e a6le
to pass thro.5h another solid oneC say a #allC or knots #ill 6e a6le to 6e tied in an endless
cordC etc. This is so3ethin5 that ele3entals are no# a6le to do and so3eti3es do at
seances. If the etheric states as descri6ed 6y 1ead6eater #ere of this nat.re this state of
per3ea6ility and the siBth sense #o.ld also 6e here no#C 6.t they are not. It sho.ld 6e noted
thatC ;.st as 1ead6eater )created) his etheric states of 3atterC so there 3.st 6e other states of
3atter than those #e nor3ally kno# - as i3plied a n.36er of ti3es 6y Bla/atsky - #hich do
not ordinarily eBist in a free state. An eBa3ple of the te3porary creation of one of these
a6nor3al states #o.ld 6e that of the endless cord knots ;.st citedC #herein a6nor3al states of
3atter #o.ld ha/e 6een created 6y the 4le3entals.
5stablished Terminology
When Bla/atsky #anted to descri6e so3ethin5 non-physical and ten.o.s in nat.reC
she .sed the #ord )ethereal.) Enot ethericFC #hich a5ain she specifically related to the astral
plane Esee S.D. IIC 200C rd 4d.C 1C "th 4d.C 22F. +.rtherC to#ards the end of an article that
she entitled )A Dan5er Si5nal) #ritten for La -eue TheosophiqueC April 1,,0C Esee !. W. QIC
1,% et se<.F Bla/atsky 3akes the follo#in5 state3entI -The ter3inolo5y esta6lished so3e
fifteen years a5o in the Theosophical Society is the correct oneC 6eca.se in e/ery case these
ter3s are a faithf.l translation of their Sanskrit e<.i/alentsC al3ost as old as the latest h.3an
race-C and then si5nificantly she addsC -This ter3inolo5y co.ld not 6e 3odified at present
--- ,
#itho.t r.nnin5 the risk of introd.cin5 into the theosophical teachin5s a chaos #hich #o.ld 6e
deplora6le and dan5ero.s to their clarity.- This state3ent is partic.larly rele/ant and
si5nificant in the li5ht of #hat in fact happened to the theosophical ter3inolo5y in the 6ooks
#ritten later on.
It #as in 1,,0 that Bla/atsky #rote The *ey to Theosophy and therein she /ery
caref.lly defined her ter3s and their 3eanin5s. To#ards the end of !hapter IQ Ep 1(1
7ri5inal 4d.F she #rote a sectionC -Definite #ords for definite thin5s-. In this she #as
concerned that the ter3inolo5y sho.ld 6e settled. She .sed a lar5e part of that section for
definitions of the ele3ents of the h.3an )so.l). In a footnote Ep 1(%F she p.tsC -Shiftin5 of
$etaphysical ter3s-C #hich she says -applies here only to the shiftin5 of their translated
e<.i/alents fro3 the 4astern eBpressionsI for to this day there ne/er eBisted s.ch ter3s in
4n5lishC e/ery Theosophist ha/in5 to coin his o#n ter3s to render his tho.5ht. It is hi5h ti3e
then to settle on so3e definite no3enclat.re-C and this she did in The *ey #here she defined
precisely all the 3ore co33only .sed #ords and 5a/e their Sanskrit e<.i/alents. She set o.t
the constit.tion of 3anC 5i/in5 the 4n5lish e<.i/alents of the 4astern na3esC in Ta6le II on the
follo#in5 pa5e.
Besant)s The Ancient 8isdom #as #ritten in 1,0(C ei5ht years after this ter3inolo5y
had 6een esta6lished. In it Ep 10"F she e<.ates the 1in5a Sarira to her 4theric Do.6le #hich
in her syste3C as eBplained a6o/eC she places on the physical plane. This introd.ces a
diffic.lty 6eca.se the 1in5a Sarira in the :ind. and ori5inal theosophical sense is on the
plane a6o/e the physical.
It 3.st also 6e re3e36ered thatC accordin5 to Bla/atskyC there is a 1aya !entre
6et#een the physical plane proper and the one of the 1in5a Sarira Ethe astralF a6o/e itC and
therefore distinctly different sets of senses operate on the planes on either side of the 1aya
!entres. The physical is co5niAa6le 6y physical senses 6.t the plane of the 1in5a Sarira Ethe
Astral in the Bla/atsky syste3F is notG the letter re<.ires astral sensesC i"e. those of
clair/oyance and claira.dience. In the A.B.N!.W.1. syste3C ho#e/erC the 4theric Body or
Do.6le 6ein5 )etheric) physicalC 6.t on the physical planeC #o.ld not 6e separated fro3 the
dense physical 6y a 1aya !entreI physical senses #o.ld therefore apply to 6oth the 5ross
physical and the etheric physical.

--- 0
33The diagram format cannot be reproduced here - dig" ed"44
TA/LE II
Sanscrit Ter3s - 4soteric $eanin5 - 4Bplanatory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lo,er <personalB Kuaternary: -
EaF R.paC or Sth.la Sharira - Physical Body - Is the /ehicle of all the other )principles) d.rin5
life.
E6F Prana - 1ifeC or /ital principle - @ecessary only to aC cC dC and the f.nctions of the lo#er
$anasC #hich e36race all those li3ited to the physical 6rain.
EcF 1in5a Sharira - Astral 6ody - The do.6leC the phanto3 6ody.
EdF >a3a R.pa - The seat of ani3al desires and passions.
--------
The 2pper )mperishable Triad: -
EeF $anasC a d.al principle in its f.nctions - $indC intelli5enceG the hi5her h.3an 3indC #hose
li5ht or radiation links the $onadC for the life-ti3eC to the 3ortal 3an. - The f.t.re state and
the kar3ic destiny of 3an depend on #hether $anas 3ore 5ra/itates do#n#ard to >a3a
R.paC the seat of the ani3al passionsC or .p#ards to B.ddhiC the spirit.al 45o. In the latter
caseC the hi5her conscio.sness of the indi/id.al spirit.al aspirations of 3ind E$anasFC
assi3ilatin5 B.ddhiC are a6sor6ed 6y it and for3 the 45oC #hich 5oes into de/achanic 6liss.
EfF B.ddhi - The spirit.al so.l - the /ehicle of p.re .ni/ersal spirit
E5F At3a - Spirit - 7ne #ith the A6sol.teC as its radiation
E*ey *IC 01N2C 7ri5inal 4d.F
--- 12
She 5a/e so3e f.rther si5nificant definitions #hich are of rele/ance in the li5ht of
so3e later .sa5e of the ter3sI
I. At3aC the :i5her SelfC is neither yo.r spirit nor 3ineC 6.t like s.nli5ht shines on all.
It is the .ni/ersally diff.sed di/ine principleC and is insepara6le fro3 its one and a6sol.te
s.per-spiritC as the s.n6ea3 is insepara6le fro3 s.nli5ht.
II. B.ddhiC the spirit.al so.l is only its /ehicle. @either At3a nor B.ddhi separatelyC
nor the t#o collecti/elyC are of any 3ore .se to the 6ody of 3anC than s.nli5ht and its 6ea3s
are for a 3ass of 5ranite 6.ried in the earthC .nless the di/ine d.ad is assi3ilated 6yC and
reflected inC some consciousness. @either At3a nor B.ddhi are e/er reached 6y >ar3aC
6eca.se the for3er is the hi5hest aspect of >ar3aC the ,or!ing agent of )tself in one aspectC
and the latter is .nconscio.s on this /lane. This conscio.sness or 3ind is
III. $anasC the deri/ation or prod.ct in a reflected for3C of aham!araC )the conception of
IC) or )45o-ship). It isC thereforeC #hen insepara6ly .nited to the first t#oC called the spirit.al
45oC and taiCasaC the radiant. This is the real indi/id.alityC or the di/ine 3an. It is this 45o
#hich - ha/in5 ori5inally incarnated in the senseless h.3an for3 ani3ated 6yC 6.t
.nconscio.s ofC the presence in itself of the d.al 3onadC since it had no conscio.sness -
3ade of that h.3an-like for3 a real 3an. It is this 45oC this )ca.sal 6ody)C #hich
o/ershado#s e/ery personality into #hich >ar3a forces it to incarnate. It is this 45o #hich is
held responsi6le for all the sins co33itted thro.5h and inC e/ery ne# 6ody or personality - the
e/anescent 3asks #hich hide the tr.e indi/id.al thro.5h the lon5 series of re6irths. E*ey *IIIC
1%F
-----------
The +igher #elf is At3aC the insepara6le ray of the Hni/ersal and 7ne S41+. It is the
9od a6o/eC 3ore than #ithin .s. :appy the 3an #ho s.cceeds in sat.ratin5 his Inner 45o
#ith it?
The #piritual &iine 5go is the spirit.al so.l or B.ddhiC in close .nion #ith $anasC the
3ind-principleC #itho.t #hich the for3er is no 45o at allC 6.t only the At3ic *ehicle.
The )nner( or +igher 5goC is $anasC the )fifth) principleC so calledC independently of
B.ddhi. The 3ind-principle is only the #piritual 5go #hen 3er5ed into one #ith B.ddhiG no
3aterialist 6ein5 s.pposed to ha/e in hi3 such an 45oC ho#e/er 5reat his Intellect.al
capacities. It is the per3anent indiiduality or the reincarnatin5 45o. The Lo,er( or /ersonal
egoC is the physical 3an in con;.nction #ith his lo,er selfC i"e. ani3al instinctsC passionsC
desiresC etc. It is called the false personalityC and consists of the lo#er $anas co36ined #ith
>a3a R.paC and operatin5 thro.5h the physical 6ody and its phanto3 or do.6le. L*ey IQC
1('M
--- 11
It is also i3portant to note thatC #hereas there are tatt/ic correspondences to the solidC
li<.idC 5aseo.s and fiery states of 3atterC there are none to the fo.r physical )etheric) states.
Besant's Terminology
In her 6ook The Ancient 8isdomC in a footnoteC Besant saysC )1in5a Sarira #as the
na3e originally 5i/en to the 4theric Body - and 3.st not 6e conf.sed #ith the 1in5a Sarira of
:ind. philosophy. Sth.la Sarira is the Sanskrit na3e for the dense 6ody). B.t the )4theric
Body) is her 3odern ter3 and 1in5a Sarira is an ancient one. She does not eBplain the
ori5ins of the ter3 )4theric Body) nor #hat she 3eant 6y )ori5inally)C 6.t in the ori5inal
EBla/atskyF theosophical literat.re there is no )etheric) 6ody or state of 3atter. Besant does
not say #hy the 4theric Body sho.ld not 6e conf.sed #ith the 1in5a Sarira. She i3plies that
the ter3 4theric Body #as so3eho# of 3ore ancient .sa5e than 1in5a Sarira 6.t does not
;.stify her state3ent. It #as certainly .sed as a #ord 6y 3ediae/al and e/en 10th cent.ry
occ.ltists 6.t not in the sense in #hich Besant .sed it. To this do.6leC ho#e/erC she ascri6ed
3ost of the characteristics and <.alities of the astral 6ody E2nd principleF of the Bla/atsky
syste3C often referred to 6y its Indian na3e 1in5a Sarira.
In the :.P.B.N$asters literat.re the #ord )etheric) does appear in a fe# placesC e"g"
concernin5 the force .sed in the >eeley 3otor Esee S.D. IC %'2C rd 4d.C '1C "th 4d.C 2,%FC
6.t there Bla/atsky eBpressly relates )etheric) to Astral Ei"e. her 2nd planeF. It co.ld 6e that in
contrastin5 it #ith the 3eanin5 5i/en to the #ord 6y the :ind.s Besant #as thinkin5 of 1in5a
Sarira 6ein5 translated as )seB-6ody) Esee !. W. I*C %FC 1in5a 6ein5 the Sanskrit #ord for
phall.s or 3aleness. Bla/atsky does 3ention this 6.t persists #ith her .se of the #ord. The
3eanin5 she 5a/e to 1in5a Sarira in her Theosophical $lossary is as follo#sI
)1in5a Sarira. The )6ody)C i"e.C the aerial sy36ol of the 6ody. This ter3 desi5nates the
doppelganger or the )astral 6ody) of 3an or ani3al. It is the eidolon of the 9reeksC the /ital
and prototypal 6odyG the reflection of the 3an of flesh. It is 6orn before and dies or fades o.tC
#ith the disappearance of the last ato3 of the 6ody.)
It is .sed in this sense consistently thro.5ho.t the Bla/atsky #ritin5s. 1in5a Sarira is
the direct e<.i/alent of Bla/atsky)s astral 6ody. 1ater she
--- 12
eBplains the 1in5a Sarira)s relationship to the >a3a and $aya/i R.pas in Collected 8ritings
*ol. I*C p %.
In all the /ol.3ino.s literat.re that ca3e d.rin5 and after the Besant eraC the astral
plane 6eca3e identified #ith the >a3a 1oka E"th Bla/atsky planeFC 6.t to add to the
conf.sion 3any of the <.alities ascri6ed to the astral plane in the later literat.re #ere in fact
those of the astral plane E2ndF as ori5inally descri6ed 6y Bla/atskyC and so3eti3es of the
Astral 1i5ht EBla/atskyF.
1ittle or no 3ention of the Astral 1i5htC as s.chC is 3ade in the later literat.re in spite of
its i3portanceC partic.larly in eBplainin5 psychic pheno3ena. Another i3portant difference
6et#een the A.B.N!.W.1. /ie# on )etheric) states and the :.P.B.N$asters description of 4ther is
that the for3er 3i5ht 6e re5ardedC as )de/elop3ental) states of 3atterC and #o.ld then 6e
associated #ith the processes of in/ol.tionC #hereas the tatt/ic 4ther and hi5her states are
e/ol.tionaryC i"e. they #ill appear only in the Ro.nds after o.r present fo.rth.
Besant said she #as 3akin5 these chan5es to eradicate conf.sions 6.t it is diffic.lt to
see that any conf.sions eBistedC especially as Bla/atsky had 6een at s.ch pains to define her
ter3s #hich she .sed consistently thro.5ho.t 6oth her o#n and the $asters) #ritin5s.
/rinciples and /lanes
$any conf.sions #ere introd.ced 6y the chan5es 3ade 6y Besant in 6oth the
ter3inolo5y and classifications of the principles and planes. A f.nda3ental one #as the .se
of the #ord )$onadic) to descri6e a plane E2ndF Esee Ta6le III 6elo#F. $onad is defined in the
Bla/atsky literat.re as a d.adC the co36ination of At3a and B.ddhi. It is also .sed in the
.ni/ersal sense to incl.de $ahatC i"e" $onad is then re5arded as a triad Esee S.D. IC %(2C rd
4d.C '2C "th 4d.C 20F. There is a reference in the S.D. *ol. III to the $onad as 6oth a d.ality
and a triadC 6.t 6y the latter the 45o Ethe .pper Triad in 3anF is o6/io.sly 3eant. Altho.5h
$onad as defined 6y Bla/atsky is one and indi/isi6leC the triad At3a-B.ddhi-$anas is
so3eti3es referred to in her literat.re as the h.3an 45o Esee ter3inolo5y and definitions
5i/en at the end of !hapter IQ of The *eyC p 1(% in the 7ri5inal 4d.F.
--- 12a
33The proper diagram format cannot be reproduced here - dig" ed"44
TAB14 III
!o3parati/e Ta6le of !lassification of Planes Esee p. 1F
$asters N :.P.B. Syste3 A.B.N!.W.1. Syste3 E7ldFO
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 ADI
2 A@HPADA>A
( AT$A AT$A
' BHDD:I " BHDD:I
:i5her :i5her
% $A@AS % $4@TA1
1o#er 1o#er
" >A$A ' ASTRA1
PRA@A
2 1I@9A SARIRA EastralF
4theric
1 ST:H1A SARIRA EPhysical BodyF ( P:8SI!A1
Dense
--------
The in/ersion of the n.36erin5 sho.ld 6e noted. It is f.rther ca.se of conf.sion to
st.dents.
O @ote Ta6le I* Ep. 1"F for ne# na3es of planes in A.B.N!.W.1. syste3.
--- 1
The di/ision of the physical plane 6y Besant into t#o Ea dense lo#er and an .pper
ethericF not only 3eant a radical rearran5e3ent of the principles of 3anC 6.t also affected the
na3in5 of the planes in @at.re on #hich the )s.6;ecti/e) 5lo6es of a !hain are placed. The
:.P.B.N$asters scale of principles is clearly set o.t in The *ey Esee Ta6le IIF. Besant)s
/ariations on this are 5i/en on p 10" of her The Ancient 8isdom ETa6le III thereinF. They are
also set o.t on p ", and there are f.rther /ariations in the footnoteC #here the n.36erin5 of
the principles is in/erted. :ere At3a is allocated to the %th planeC co.ntin5 fro3 the 6otto3C
instead of the (th Esee Ta6le I*F. It is eBplained in the teBt that t#o hi5her principles a6o/e
the %th Erd in Ta6le IIIF are 6eyond the conscio.sness of 3an at this ti3e. @o reference to
any s.ch hi5her principles or planes is 5i/en in the Bla/atsky literat.re. !orrespondin5
planes of @at.re are 5i/en on p of Besant)s A #tudy in Consciousness" :ere Adi and
An.padaka are na3es 5i/en to the t#o planes a6o/e At3aC #hereas in the :.P.B.N$asters
classification At3a is s.pre3eC i"e. no planes a6o/e itC and the na3es Adi and An.padaka are
those of the Tatt/as correspondin5 to At3a and B.ddhi Esee Ta6le IF.
Besant applied the #ord )$onadic) Esee Ta6le I*F to her @o. 2 plane Eco.ntin5
do#n#ardsF 3akin5 it s.perior to the Spirit.al EAt3icF. Apart fro3 the fact that in the classical
syste3 there is no )plane) a6o/e At3aC Besant)s no3enclat.re is illo5ical in that #hether
$onad is re5arded as a d.ad or triadC At3a is its hi5hest co3ponent. Any co36ination of
At3a #ith B.ddhi and $anasC 6oth deri/ati/es of )At3a) co.ld not possi6ly 6e s.perior to
At3a.
7n p 10" of The Ancient 8isdom Besant 5i/es a ta6le of principles and )for3s). Hnder
the for3s she lists a series of 6odies #hich she says corresponds to the >oshas in the
*edantic classificationC 6.t here she relates At3a to the 6lissC B.ddhi to the ca.sal and
$anes to the 3ental 6ody respecti/ely. These ter3s are not so .sed in the Bla/atsky syste3
#here the ca.sal 6ody corresponds to the hi5her $anas and 6liss to B.ddhi Esee S.D. IC 1%(C
rd 4d.C 1,1C "th 4d.C 211F. In Besant)s Ta6le the astral 6ody is e<.ated to >a3aC or the
ani3al so.lC and the 4thertc Do.6le to 1in5a Sarira and the dense 6ody to Sth.la Sarira.
Hnderneath the Ta6le Besant saysI )It #ill 6e seen that the difference is 3erely a <.estion of
na3es and that the 'thC %thC "th and rd )principles) Enot ho#e/er n.36ered in the Ta6leF are
--- 1"
3erely At3a #orkin5 in the 6.ddhicC ca.salC 3ental and astral 6odies #hile the 2nd and 1st
principles are the t#o lo#est 6odies the3sel/es). To this state3ent #as addedC )This s.dden
chan5e in the 3ethod of na3in5 is apt to ca.se conf.sion in the 3ind of the st.dentC and as
Bla/atskyC o.r re/ered teacherC eBpressed 3.ch dissatisfaction #ith the then c.rrent
no3enclat.re as conf.sed and 3isleadin5 and desired others and 3yself to try and i3pro/e
itC the a6o/e na3es as descripti/eC si3ple and representin5 the facts are here adopted). The
chan5esC to5ether #ith othersC 3ade 6y Besant did not in fact represent the sa3e )facts)C e"g"
the in/ention and insertion of the )etheric) 6odyC 6.t they #ere adopted 6oth #ithin and o.tside
the Theosophical Society. In the 3ean#hile they ha/e /irt.ally 6eco3e standard
)Theosophy). It is diffic.lt to .nderstand ho# Bla/atsky)s )then c.rrent no3enclat.re) #as
)conf.sed and 3isleadin5)C in that so near to her death as 1,,0 #hen she #rote the *ey to
Theosophy she set o.t so clearly and si3ply the ter3inolo5y #hich had 6een de/ised o/er
3any years #ith the $asters cooperation. Hp to that ti3e there #ere no 4n5lish eBpressions
for the then de/ised ter3sC and there #as certainly no conf.sion in the3.
As an eBa3ple of ho# Besant)s ne# no3enclat.re #as i3posed on the 3e36ership of
the T.S. Eand the interested p.6licFC #e ha/e the follo#in5 fro3 1ead6eater)s Te6tboo! of
TheosophyC p '1I
)The President has no# decided .pon a set of na3es for the planesC so for the f.t.re
these #ill 6e .sed instead of those pre/io.sly e3ployed. A ta6le of the3 is 5i/en 6elo# for
reference.
@e# @a3es 7ld @a3es
-------------------------------------------------------------
1 Di/ine World Adi Plane
2 $onadic - An.padaka -
Spirit.al - At3ic or @ir/anic -
" Int.itional - B.ddhic -
% $ental - $ental -
' 43otional or Astral World Astral -
( Physical World Physical -
)These #ill s.percede the na3es 5i/en in *ol. II of The )nner Life.)
--- 1%
It #ill 6e noted that neither the )@e#) nor the )7ld) na3es referred 6ack to those 5i/en
6y Bla/atsky.
1urther &ifferences bet,een the #ystems
!onf.sions ha/e certainly arisen 6eca.se of the altered no3enclat.re and n.36erin5
of 6oth planes and principles. In the :.P.B.N$asters literat.re specific eBpressions are .sed
<.ite consistentlyG for eBa3pleC the 1in5a Sarira to al#ays the astral 6ody or the astral
do.6le. In the A. B.N!.W.1. syste3 this ter3C 1in5a SariraC #as droppedC to5ether #ith its
correspondin5 planeC as #as also the principle of Prana and its plane. Both the Bla/atsky
astral and prana principlesC ho#e/erC ha/e their correspondin5 states of conscio.snessC 6.t
6oth of these #ere o3itted in the A. B.N!.W.1. syste3.
It is tr.e that Bla/atsky 3ade so3e /ariations in the ordinary septenary classification of
planes and principles in the Papers for her 4soteric SchoolC partic.larly in di/idin5 $anas into
.pper and lo#erC and so3eti3es o3ittin5 the physical 6ody as a principleC 6.t she ne/er
altered the 3ain the3e of her se/enfold syste3C #ith At3a as the s.pre3e principle and
plane. It #ill 6e seen fro3 the fore5oin5 that the alterations 3ade 6y BesantC #hich #ere
5enerally adopted 6y later #riters in the SocietyC e"g. 1ead6eaterC !. =inara;adasaC A.4.
Po#ellC etc.C #ere 3ore than 3ere ter3inolo5ical chan5es and certainly did nothin5 to
i3pro/e clarity.
It is i3portant to note #hat is said in S.D. III E"0% fnC !.W. QIIC '2, fnG 4. W.C 0" fnF. )It
is erroneo.s to call the fo.rth E2nd in A.B.N!.W.1.F h.3an principle )>a3a R.pa). It is no
R.pa at all .ntil after deathC 6.t stands for the >a3ic ele3ents in 3anC his ani3al desires and
passionsC s.ch as an5erC l.stC en/yC re/en5eC etc.C the pro5eny of selfishness and 3atter).
This states cate5orically that there is no Astral Body E"th principle /ehicle as s.chF .ntil after
death. In #hat 6ody then it can 6e asked does )astral) tra/el occ.rC if there is no 6ody d.rin5
life in #hich to tra/el? Bla/atsky tells .sC
-When a 3an /isits another in his Astral BodyC it is the 1in5a-sarira that 5oesC 6.t this
cannot happen at any 5reat distance.
VIf a 3an thinks intensely of another at a distanceC his $aya/i-R.pa Esee laterF 3ay
appear to that personC #itho.t the pro;ector kno#in5 anythin5 a6o.t it. This $aya/i-r.pa is
for3ed 6y the .nconscio.s .se >riyashakti. E!.W. QIIC (2'N(F.
--- 1'
&oubles
In the 3atter of the )do.6les) in 3an)s constit.tion Bla/atsky #rote an articleC in
<.estion and ans#er for3 6et#een herself and $.!.C for Lucifer EDece36er 1,,,C see !.W.
QC 21( et se<.F )7n Astral BodiesC or Doppel5an5ers) #herein she clearly statesI
-:.P.B. 7.r occ.lt philosophy teaches .s there are three kinds of )do.6les)C to .se the
#ord in its #idest sense. E1F $an has his )do.6le) or shado,C properly so calledC aro.nd
#hich the physical 6ody of the foet.s - the f.t.re 3an - is 6.ilt. The i3a5ination of the
3otherC or an accident #hich affects the childC #ill affect also the astral 6ody. The astral and
the physical 6oth eBist 6efore the 3ind is de/eloped into actionC and 6efore the At3a a#akes.
This occ.rs #hen the child is se/en years oldC and #ith it co3es the responsi6ility attachin5 to
a conscio.s sentient 6ein5. This )do.6le) is 6orn #ith 3anC dies #ith hi3 and can ne/er
separate itself far fro3 the 6ody d.rin5 lifeC and tho.5h s.r/i/in5 hi3C it disinte5ratesC pari
passuC #ith the corpse. It is thisC #hich is so3eti3es seen o/er the 5ra/es like a l.3ino.s
fi5.re of the 3an that #asC d.rin5 certain at3ospheric conditions. +ro3 its physical aspect it
isC d.rin5 lifeC man's ital do.6le and after deathC only the 5ases 5i/en off fro3 the decayin5
6ody. B.tC as re5ards its ori5in and essenceC it is so3ethin5 3ore. This )do.6le) is #hat #e
ha/e a5reed to call )inga-sarira( 6.t #hich I #o.ld propose to callC for 5reater con/enienceC
Protean or Plastic Body).
$.!. Why Protean or Plastic?
:.P.B. ProteanC 6eca.se it can ass.3e all for3sG e"g. the )shepherd 3a5icians) #ho3
pop.lar r.3o.r acc.sesC perhaps not #itho.t so3e reasonC of 6ein5 )#ere-#ol/es)C and
)3edi.3s in ca6inets)C #hose o#n )Plastic Bodies) play the part of 3aterialiAed 5rand3others
and )=ohn >in5s). 7ther#iseC #hy the in/aria6le c.sto3 of the )dear departed an5els) to co3e
o.t 6.t little f.rther than ar3)s len5th fro3 the 3edi.3 #hether entranced or not? $indC I do
not at all deny forei5n infl.ences in this kind of pheno3ena. B.t I do affir3 that forei5n
interference is rareC and that the 3aterialiAed for3 is al#ays that of the 3edi.3)s 'Astral' or
Protean Body.
$.!. B.t ho# is this astral 6ody created?
:.P.B. It is not createdI it 5ro#sC as I told yo.C #ith the 3an and eBists in the
r.di3entary condition e/en 6efore the child is 6orn.
$.!. And #hat a6o.t the second?
:.P.B. The second is the )Tho.5ht) 6odyC or Drea3 6odyC ratherG kno#n a3on5
7cc.ltists as the 'ayai-rupaC or )ill.sion-6ody). D.rin5 life this i3a5e is the /ehicle 6oth of
tho.5ht and of the ani3al passions and desiresC dra#in5 at one and the sa3e ti3e fro3 the
lo#est terrestrial
--- 1(
manas E3indF and *amaC the ele3ent of desire. It is dual in its potentialityC and after death
for3sC #hat is called in the 4ast BhootC or *ama-rupaC 6.t #hich is 6etter kno#n to
theosophists as the )Spook).
$.!. And the third?
:.P.B. The third is the tr.e 5goC called in the 4astC 6y a na3e 3eanin5 )ca.sal 6ody)
6.t #hich in the trans-:i3alayan schools is al#ays called the )>ar3ic 6ody)C #hich is the
sa3e. +or *arma or action is the ca.se #hich prod.ces incessant re6irths or )reincarnations).
It is not the 'onadC nor is it 'anas properG 6.t isC in a #ayC indissol.6ly connected #ithC and
a co3po.nd of the $onad and $anas in De/achan.
$.!. Then there are three do.6les?
:.P.B. If yo. can call the !hristian and other Trinities )three 9ods)C then there are three
do.6les. B.t in tr.th there is only one .nder three aspects or phasesI the 3ost 3aterial
portion disappearin5 #ith the 6odyG the 3iddle oneC s.r/i/in5 6oth as an independentC 6.t
te3porary entity in the land of shado#sG the thirdC i33ortalC thro.5ho.t the 3an/antare
.nless @ir/ana p.ts an end to it 6efore.-
After this Bla/atsky #ent on to eBplain the difference 6et#een the $aya/i and >a3a
R.paC /ery rele/ant to )astral) tra/el and the after-death states. All this eBplanation #as to
eradicate conf.sion.
'an's Constitution as /rinciples and Aspects
There is i3portant eBplanatory passa5e in SD. IIIC "0C or !.W. QIIC '2(C #hich 5i/es
another /ie# of the ele3ents of 3an)s 3ake-.pC and #hich si5nificantly s.pple3ents #hat
#as in The *ey ta6.lated a6o/e. These eBtracts indicate ho# precisely Bla/atsky defined the
ter3s #hich had then 6een decided .pon. The esta6lished classification and n.36erin5 of
the principles of 3an #ere those .sed consistently thro.5ho.t the 3assi/e Bla/atsky
literat.re.
So3e /ariations on the 3ain the3e #ere 3ade in her 4.S. Papers 6.t these #ere
eBplained. It is hard to see ho# any conf.sion co.ld ha/e arisen prior to the chan5es 3ade
6y Besant herself.
--- 1,
AB.2T '/-)NC)/L5#' AN& 'A#/5CT#'
Speakin5 3etaphorically and philosophicallyC on strict esoteric linesC 3an as a
co3plete .nit is co3posed of +o.r 6asic Principles and Three Aspects prod.ced 6y the3 on
this earth. In the se3i-esoteric teachin5sC these +o.r and Three ha/e 6een called Se/en
PrinciplesC to facilitate the co3prehension of the 3asses. 33The double column format in the
follo,ing table cannot be reproduced here - dig" ed"44
T:4 4T4R@A1 BASI! PRI@!IP14S
TRA@SIT7R8 ASP4!TS PR7DH!4D B8 T:4 PRI@!IP14S
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. At3anC or =i/aC )the 7ne 1ife) #hich per3eates the $onadic Trio. E7ne in three and three
in 7ne.F
1. PranaC the Breath of 1ifeC the sa3e as @ephesh. At the death of a li/in5 6ein5C
Prana re-6eco3es =i/a. ERe3e36er that o.r reincarnatin5 45os are called the
$anasap.trasC )Sons of $anas) Lor $ahatMC Intelli5enceC Wisdo3.F
2. A.ric 4n/elopeG 6eca.se the s.6strat.3 of the A.ra aro.nd 3an is the .ni/ersally
diff.sed pri3ordial and p.re AkasaC the first fil3 on the 6o.ndless and shoreless eBpanse of
=i/aC the i33.ta6le Root of all.
2. 1in5a-SariraC the Astral +or3C the transitory e3anation of the A.ric 455. This for3
preceded the for3ation of the li/in5 BodyC and after death clin5s to itC dissipatin5 only #ith the
disappearance of its last ato3 Ethe skeleton eBceptedF.
. B.ddhiG 6eca.se B.ddhi is a ray of the Hni/ersal Spirit.al So.l EA1A8AF.
. 1o#er $anasC the Ani3al So.lC the reflection or shado# of the B.ddhi-$anasC
ha/in5 the potentialities of 6othC 6.t con<.ered 5enerally 6y its association #ith the >a3a
ele3ents.
". $anas Ethe :i5her 45oFG for it proceeds fro3 $ahatC the first prod.ct or e3anation of
PradhanaC #hich contains potentially all the 9.nas Eattri6.tesF. $ahat is !os3ic Intelli5enceC
called the )9reat Principle).
". As 3an is the co36ined prod.ct of t#o aspectsI physicallyC of his Astral +or3C and
psycho-physiolo5ically of >a3a-$anasC he is not looked .pon e/en as an aspectC 6.t as an
ill.sion.
--------------
The A.ric 455C on acco.nt of its nat.re and 3anifold f.nctionsC has to 6e #ell st.died.
As :iranya5ar6haC the 9olden Wo36 or 455C contains Brah3aC the collecti/e sy36ol of the
Se/en Hni/ersal +orcesC so the A.ric 455 containsC and is directly related toC 6oth the di/ine
and the physical 3an. In its essenceC as saidC it is eternalG in its constant correlationsC it is a
kind of perpet.al 3otion 3achine d.rin5 the reincarnatin5 pro5ress of the 45o on this earth.
--- 1,a
The ai3 of this 6ooklet is to dra# attention to the fact that the 4thers of #hich the
4theric Do.6le #as said to 6e co3posed Esee The Ancient 8isdomC p %2 et seq.F do not
eBist. St.dents #ay also 6e interested in the alterations to the ori5inal classification of the
h.3an principles #hich here 3ade to acco33odate the 4theric Body. TheseC as 5i/en 6y
BesantC are set o.t in ta6.lar for3 6elo# Esee A.W.C p 10FI
TA/LE V
P1A@4S A@D PRI@!IP14S EB4SA@TF
Planes Principles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
( :idden O
' :idden O
% @ir/anic ( At3a
" B.ddhic ' B.ddhic
:i5her
$ental % $ental
1o#er
2 Astral " >a3a
EPranaF
1 Physical 2 Physical E4theric Do.6leF
1 Body EDenseF
O The (th and ,th planes are descri6ed in The Ancient 8isdomC pp ",N(. See also
footnote to p ",. Principles 1C 2 and are re5arded as physical.
------------
It #ill 6e seen fro3 this Ta6le that neither the planes nor the principles nor their
n.3ero.s correspondences accord #ith those 5i/en in the ori5inal literat.reC partic.larly in
the Inner 9ro.p @otes E!.W. QII or S.D. E1,0(F *ol IIIFC #here the planes and principles
correspond eBactly to each other accordin5 to the 1a# of Analo5y. Si3ilarly the
characteristics of the planes as descri6ed 6y A.B.N!.W.1. do not a5ree in i3portant partic.lars
#ith those 5i/en in the :.P.B.N$asters syste3. Besant 5i/es the color of the 4theric Do.6le
EA.W. p %"F as /iolet-5rey or 6l.e-5rey. In the @otes E:.P.B.N$asters syste3F /iolet is the
color of the Astral Do.6leC #hich is on the plane a6o/e the physical.

--- 10
After &eath
Another serio.s diffic.lty that arises is that the #hole of the $asters) acco.nt of #hat
occ.rs at and after death cannot 6e .nderstood in ter3s of the classification of principles later
.sed 6y Besant. This is apart fro3 essential differences 6et#een the $asters) acco.nt of
#hat act.ally happens after death and that en.nciated later 6y 1ead6eater. Besant)s acco.nt
in her early 6ook &eath and After isC ho#e/erC 5enerally in accord #ith that of the $asters.
#ummary
The fore5oin5 analysis and co3parison deals #ith only so3e of the salient points of
difference 6et#een the Theosophy as 5i/en .s 6y the $asters and the syste3 propo.nded 6y
Besant and her follo#ers. There are 3any other areas of difference not to.ched on in this
paperC i;. 5ro.p so.lsC per3anent ato3sC the dispensin5 of >ar3a and the attit.de to
reli5ion.
+ro3 #hat has 6een 5i/en it is <.ite clear that in the respects 3entioned the t#o
syste3s are irreconcila6le. This is partic.larly so in connection #ith the latest infor3ation
Bla/atsky 5a/e o.t in the Papers to her Inner 9ro.p. The A.B. N!.W.1. syste3 is
inco3pati6le #ith the correspondences 5i/en there and #ithC for eBa3pleC the hierarchical
colors and their relationship to the principles of 3an. It is i3portant that serio.s st.dents of
Theosophy sho.ld kno# a6o.t these discrepancies.
--------
Note
The clair/oyant in/esti5ations into the ato3ic str.ct.re of so3e ele3ents #as started
in 1,0%. An early reference to the ter3 )4theric) is on p 22 of 1ead6eater)s 6ook The Astral
/lane E1,0%C reprint 10,(F. 7n p 21 he refers to Bla/atsky)s )se/en principles of 3an)C 6.t
Bla/atsky ne/er 3ade reference to the 4theric Do.6le Esee Ta6le II and refs. to Bla/atsky)s
Do.6les on p 1, et seq.F
----------------------------
TeosoA; T'ue #n( F#lse
- :. Tra/ersC $.A.
In an article in the +ibbert %ournal for April occ.rs the follo#in5I
-The 6ad odor ri5htly attri6.ted to )7cc.ltis3C) or )Spiritis3C) or )TheosophyC) or
)9nosticis3C) .... or any other of the tho.sand s.perstitions and <.ackeries that at all ti3es
ha/e del.ded 3en.-
8et this n.36er of the +ibbert %ournal contains se/eral articles #hich sho# in an
.n3istaka6le #ay the po#erf.l and #idespread infl.ence for 5ood #hich real Theosophy has
eBercised on the tho.5hts of 3en.
It #ill 6e noticed that the #riter p.ts each of the titles #hich he .ses in <.otation-
3arks. :ence it is per3issi6le to 3ake a distinction 6et#een the thin5s so desi5nated and
the thin5s desi5nated 6y the sa3e titles #itho.t <.otation-3arks. S.ch a distinction has often
6een 3ade 6y Theosophists in the case of Theosophy and 7cc.ltis3. Theosophy in
<.otation-3arks is .sed to denote one or 3ore of the inn.3era6le c.ltsC fadsC craAesC
<.ackeriesC or s.perstitionsC #hich ha/e 6een set in 3otion 6y the ener5y of Theosophy
operatin5 in a /ery i3perfect #orldG 3.ch as a 6ea3 of s.nli5ht 3ay raise 3ias3ic /apors in
a st.ffy roo3C or s.ndry f.n5oid and parasitic 5ro#ths 3ay flo.rish a#hile on the /ital ;.ices
of a 5en.ine plant.
We find no fa.lt #ith the #riter for sti53atiAin5 this kind of -Theosophy- as he doesC or
for incl.din5 it a3on5 a list of s.perstitio.s craAes. 7ne is s.fficiently ac<.ainted #ith its
/a5aries and eBtra/a5ances. B.t #e 3.st insist on e3phasiAin5 the distinctionC #ide as the
polesC 6et#een the 5en.ine and the i3itations. +ort.natelyC the 5reat n.36er of these
i3itationsC and their eBtra/a5anceC 3iti5ates the har3 #hich Theosophy inc.rs fro3 the3.
The 5.lf 6et#een the tr.e and the false #idens contin.ally. Tr.e TheosophyC kept a6sol.tely
free fro3 any kind of de5eneration or tr.cklin5C thro#s into stron5 contrast e/erythin5 else
that 6orro#s its na3e or seeks to 3ake capital o.t of any of its teachin5s.
The processes of e/ol.tion in the present a5e are rapid in the eBtre3e. 7ne has only
to take .p a 6ook-list of -occ.lt- p.6lications - and it is not diffic.lt to find one in order to see
#hat a /o5.e this craAe has in the p.6lic 3ind. The 6.siness is thri/in5 and 3.st 6e
l.crati/e. The people see3 infat.ated #ith the s.6;ect in all its phases - -occ.ltis3C-
psychis3C astrolo5yC crystal-5aAin5C a.rasC spooksC ta6le-rappin5C and the #hole catalo5.
In all this chaos #e reco5nise a fa3iliar spectacleI a 5en.ine h.n5er and need
per/ertedC t.rned into .n#orthy channels. It is one of the effects ine/ita6ly prod.ced #hen an
atte3pt is 3ade to assist the #orld 6y 6rin5in5 to it the teachin5s of #isdo3. 4no.5h people
are 5athered and held to5ether to for3 a sta6le n.cle.s for the preser/ationC practiceC and
pro3.l5ation of those teachin5s. This is the Hni/ersal Brotherhood and Theosophical
Society. B.t the lea/enC #orkin5 in the so55y 3assC also 5enerates stran5e .ncanny
5ro#thsC as the .nre5enerate nat.re of 3an in the 3ass seiAes .pon the teachin5s and tries
to t.rn the3 into 3inisters to its desires and follies.
Theosophy #as descri6ed 6y :.P. Bla/atsky as the 3ost serio.s 3o/e3ent of the a5eG
and this is s.rely a to.chstone to distin5.ish it fro3 anythin5 that trades on its na3e or credit.
@e/er #as the #orld in 5reater need of serio.s helpG 6.t of #hat earthly .se are the psychic
craAes likely to 6e to it? At 6est they can 6.t ser/e to 3inister to folly and to satisfy the
cra/in5 for eBcite3ent and di/ersion. B.t they can also acco3plish 3.ch har3 in de/elopin5
the ne.rotic .nsta6le tendencies in h.3an nat.re.
$any of the people #ho are attracted 6y these craAes are at first .na#are that s.ch a
thin5 as 5en.ine Theosophy eBistsC and they are /ery 5lad #hen they disco/er 5en.ine
TheosophyG for therein they find #hat they ha/e 6een seekin5 and ha/e failed to find in the
craAes. B.t there are others #hose desires are rather for the 3ental eBcite3ent #hich
pse.do-Theosophy and -occ.ltis3- pro/ide than for the serio.s #ork #hich Theosophy itself
entails.
:.P. Bla/atsky and W.P. =.d5e foresa# the dan5ers that #o.ld arise fro3 atte3pts to
.tiliAe the Theosophical teachin5s for the satisfaction of 3ere c.riosity and personal a36itionG
and #e can find a3on5 their #ritin5s 3any references to the s.6;ect. The distinction 6et#een
7cc.ltis3 and #hat is 3iscalled -occ.ltis3- is s.fficiently #ell defined. 7cc.ltis3 is the
science #hich teaches tr.e #isdo3 and self-3asteryG and these can 6e attained only 6y
s.6d.in5 the force of personal desires and del.sions in o.rsel/es. :ence the pro5ra3 of
.nselfish and .sef.l #ork for a 5reat ca.seC pro/ided 6y TheosophyC ena6les a st.dent to
acco3plish his o#n real de/elop3ent #hile doin5 his d.ty as a 3e36er of the 6ody. If occ.lt
po#ers are so.5ht for any personal 3oti/eC the res.lt is to feed and stren5then the lo#er
nat.reC th.s raisin5 .p 5reat o6stacles in the path of o.r ri5ht and nor3al e/ol.tion. An
earnest st.dent of Theosophy seeks to o/erco3e the o6stacles raised 6y his personal
desires and del.sionsC and does not #ish to inc.r the responsi 6ility of ha/in5 occ.lt po#ers
6efore he finds hi3self fit and a6le to .se the3.
The conse<.ences of any depart.re fro3 this policyC #hich is fo.nded on #isdo3 and
eBperienceC are e/ident #hen #e o6ser/e the eBtre3es of folly to #hich people r.n in p.rs.it
of -psychis3- and s.ch craAes. The ai3 of Theosophy 6ein5 to esta6lish a 6ody of #orkers
for the ca.se of .sef.l kno#led5eC and th.s to pro3ote the tr.e #elfare of the h.3an raceC it
follo#s that the 3e36ers cannot #aste their ti3e in /ain p.rs.its. Th.s Theosophy is in tr.th
the 3ost serio.s 3o/e3ent of the a5eC and has nothin5 in co33on #ith the craAes
sti53atiAed 6y the #riter #e ha/e <.oted. This distinction cannot 6e too clearly 3ade.
ETheosophical /athC /ol. 21C no. 'F

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