All the work that any of us do anywhere redounds to the interest and
benefit of the whole T.S., and for that reason we know that we are
united.
The Self is one and all-powerful, but it must happen to the seeker
from time to time that he or she shall feel the strangeness of new
conditions; this is not a cause for fear. If the mind is kept intent
on the Self and not diverted from it, and comes to see the Self in all
things, no matter what, then fear should pass away in time. I would
therefore advise you to study and meditate over the _Bhagavat Gita_,
which is a book that has done me more good than all others in the whole
range of books, and is the one that can be studied all the time.
This will do more good than anything, if the great teachings are
silently assimilated and put into action, for it goes to the very root
of things and gives the true philosophy of life.
If you try to put into practice what in your inner life you hold to be
right, you will be more ready to receive helpful thoughts and the inner
life will grow more real. I hope with you that your home may become a
strong centre of work for Theosophy.
* * * * *
You want to know the inner situation of the T.S., well, it is just
this: we have all worked along for eighteen years, and the T.S. as a
body has its karma as well as each one in it. Those in it who have
worked hard, of course, have their own karma, and have brought
themselves to a point ahead of the T.S. Now, if the branches are
weak in their knowledge of Theosophy, and in their practise of its
precepts and their understanding of the whole thing, the body is in the
situation of the child who has been growing too fast for its strength,
and if that be the case it is bound to have a check. For my part I do
not want any great rush, since I too well know how weak even those
long in it are. As to individuals, say you, ... and so on. By reason
of hard and independent work you have got yourselves in the inner
realm just where you may soon begin to get the attention of the Black
Magicians, who then begin to try to knock you out, so beware. Attempts
will be silently made to arouse irritation, and to increase it where
it now exists. So the only thing to do is to live as much as possible
in the higher nature, and each one to crush out the small and trifling
ebullitions of the lower nature which ordinarily are overlooked, and
thus strength is gained in the whole nature, and the efforts of the
enemy made nil. This is of the highest importance, and if not attended
to it will be sad. This is what I had in view in all the letters I have
sent to you and others. I hope you will be able to catch hold of men,
here and there, who will take the right, true, solid view, and be left
thus behind you as good men and good agents.
* * * * *
When I was in ---- I broached to you and others the plan of getting
Theosophy to the working people. Has anything been done? It must be
simply put. It can be understood. It is important. Let us see if this
thing cannot be done; you all promised to go to work at it. Why not
turn, like the Bible man, to the byways and hedges from all these
people who will not come? Then I feel sure that, if managed right, a
lot of people who believe in Theosophy but don't want to come out for
it, would help such a movement, seeing that it would involve talking
to the poor and giving them sensible stuff. If need be, I'd hold a
meeting every night, and not give them abstractions. Add music, if
possible, etc. Now let me hear your ideas. Time rolls on and many queer
social changes are on the way.
* * * * *
I have your long letter from ---- and you are right as to conduct of
Branches. No Branch should depend on one person, for, if so, it will
slump, sure; nor on two or three either. Here they depended on me for
a long time, and my bad health in voice for a year was a good thing as
it made the others come forward. ---- is right enough in his way, but
certainly he ought to be fitting himself for something in addition to
speaking, as the T.S. has to have a head as well as a tongue; and if a
man knows he is bad at business, he should mortify himself by making
himself learn it, and thus get good discipline. We sadly need at all
places some true enthusiasts. But all that will come in time. The main
thing is for the members to study and know Theosophy, for if they do
not know it how can they give any of it to others? Of course, at all
times most of the work falls upon the few, as is always the case, but
effort should be made, as you say, to bring out other material.
* * * * *
... I am abundantly sure that you are quite correct in saying that it
is the Branches which work that flourish, and that those addicted to
"Parlour Talks" soon squabble and dwindle. You have gone right to the
root of the matter. So, also, I agree with you, heart and soul, in
what you say as to the policy of a timid holding and setting forth of
Theosophy. Nothing can be gained by such a policy, and all experience
points to energy and decision as essential to any real advance.
* * * * *
You are, I think, quite right to attempt to get all members to work
for their individual advance, by working for their Branches. By
doing things in this way, they provide an additional safeguard for
themselves, while forming a centre from which Theosophical thought can
radiate out to help and encourage others who are only beginning their
upward way.
* * * * *
I find that you state my view exactly. That view is that the A B C of
Theosophy should be taught all the time, and this not only for the
sake of outsiders, but also for the sake of the members who are, I
very well know, not so far along as to need the elaborate work all the
time. And it is just because the members are not well grounded that
they are not able themselves to get in more inquirers. Just as you say,
if the simple truths practically applied as found in Theosophy are
presented, you will catch at last some of the best people, real workers
and valuable members. And Theosophy can best be presented in a simple
form by one who has mastered the elements as well as "the nature of
the Absolute." It is just this floating in the clouds which sometimes
prevents a Branch from getting on. And I fully agree, also, that if
the policy I have referred to should result temporarily in throwing
off some few persons it would be a benefit, for you would find others
coming to take their places. And I can agree with you, furthermore, out
of actual experience.
* * * * *
You by no means need to apologise for asking my attention to the matter
of your joining the Theosophical Society. It is my great desire and
privilege to give to all sincere enquirers whatever information I may
possess, and certainly there can be no greater pleasure than to further
the internal progress of any real student and aspirant. I think you
quite right in wishing to identify yourself with the Theosophical
Society, not only because that is the natural and obvious step for
anyone sincerely interested; but also because each additional member
with right spirit strengthens the body for its career and work.
* * * * *
In taking advantage of an opportunity to introduce Theosophy into the
secular press you are doing exactly the work which is so invaluable to
the Society, and which I so constantly urge upon our members. It is
in this way that so very many persons are reached who would otherwise
be quite inaccessible, and the amount of good which seed thus sown
can accomplish is beyond our comprehension. You have my very hearty
approval of and encouragement in your work and I am very sure that that
work will not be without fruit.
* * * * *
NEW YORK, _October 11th, 1892_.--This is the era of _Western
Occultism_. We are now to stand shoulder to shoulder in the U.S. to
present it and enlarge it in view of coming cussedness, attacks which
will be in the line of trying to impose solely Eastern disciples on us.
The Masters are not Eastern or Western, but universal.
* * * * *
I shall be glad to give you any information possible respecting
Theosophy and the Theosophical Society, but I think you err in
supposing that the purpose of either is to encourage the study of
what is known as the Occult Arts. Knowledge concerning, and control
of, the finer forces of nature are not things which should be sought
after at our elementary stage of progress, nor would such attainment
be appropriate, even if possible, to anyone who had not thoroughly
mastered the principles of Theosophy itself.
Mere desire for powers is a form of selfishness, and receives no
encouragement from our Teachers. Mme. Blavatsky stated this matter
very clearly indeed in an article published in _Lucifer_, entitled
"Occultism _versus_ the Occult Arts." When persons without a large
preliminary training in the real Wisdom-Religion seek knowledge on
the Occult plane they are very apt, from inexperience and inadequate
culture, to drift into black magic. I have no power to put you into
communication with any adept to guide you in a course of Occult study,
nor would it be of service to you if the thing was possible. The
Theosophical Society was not established for any such purpose, nor
could anyone receive instructions from an adept until he was ripe for
it. In other words, he must undergo a long preliminary training in
knowledge, self-control, and the subjugation of the lower nature before
he would be in any way fit for instruction on the higher planes. What I
recommend you to do is to study the elementary principles of Theosophy
and gain some idea of your own nature as a human being and as an
individual, but drop entirely all ambition for knowledge or power which
would be inappropriate to your present stage, and to correct your whole
conception of Theosophy and Occultism.