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To those who have bestowed the Priceless,
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Reality or Truth, and Relative Truth. Dogma defined. The nature of Seership. What is proof? Is it infallible? Faith, true and blind. THE ESOTERIC TRADITION. Religion, Philosophy, and Science as distinguished from religions, philosophies, and sciences. Theosophy the universal 'touchstone.' The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett and The Secret Doctrine.
Chapter 1: Theosophy: The Mother of Religions, Philosophies, and Esoteric Sciences
Intimations of existence of Wisdom-Religion universal. The Esoteric Philosophy re-stated by H. P. Blavatsky. Intuition as source of human understanding of Truth. What Theosophy is and what it is not. The Guardians of the Wisdom-Religion and the methods of its dissemination. Esotericism and exotericism -- the Mystery-Schools, and the 'Mysteries.' Early Christian, Neo-Platonic, and Neo-Pythagorean teachers and their teachings. Anathematized teachings of Origen. The Qabbalah ('the Tradition'), and Theosophy. The Esoteric Doctrine, its relation to human mentality and man's conception of Truth. What we owe to ancient civilizations.
Chapter 2: Allegory and Mystical Symbolism
Why the Esoteric keys are safeguarded. Karman and Reimbodiment once held secret but now clearly expounded. The universal Mysteries the source of symbolic imagery. Intuition, its value in the study of symbolism. Theosophical interpretation of: "It (the Kingdom of God) will come when two and two make one; when the outside is like the inside; and when there is neither male nor female." The Story of the Vine and Grapes explained. The 'Cry from the Cross,' its correct translation and esoteric significance. A comprehensive survey of symbolism and mysticism as used by all great Teachers. The symbol of the Serpent or Snake.
Chapter 3: The Secret Doctrine of Gautama the Buddha, Part I
Evidence of existence of a system of esoteric teaching in Buddhism. The Buddha-Gautama. The Buddhist 'Confession of Faith': its esoteric meaning. Samskaras and Nirvana explained. The Eye-Doctrine and the Heart-Doctrine. The injunction of the Lord Buddha to his disciples as found in the Maha-Parinibbana-Sutta. Esoteric Buddhism and the existence of a succession of Teachers in the history of Buddhism. The Hinayana and the Mahayana Schools defined and described. Sakyamuni and the non-existence of a static 'soul' in man. Occidental Orientalists have need of greater intuition and common sense in the study of Buddhism.
Chapter 4: The Secret Doctrine of Gautama the Buddha , Part II
The Doctrine of Becoming. The Pali scriptures and the teaching of 'survival.' What is it that survives? Karman, Rebirth, and the Jataka-tales. Fundamental doctrines of Buddhism: The Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Verities. The Paramitas as given by H. P. Blavatsky in The Voice of the Silence and in Buddhist literature. Meanings of the terms Samskaras, Skandhas, Karman, and Evolution. Discussion concerning the x-quantity in man. Symbolism in the life-story of the Buddha. The Buddha's teachings on union with the Divine.
Chapter 5: Worlds Visible and Invisible, Part I
The Universe a septempartite or decempartite organism. Who and what are the Devas? Knowing the Universe by becoming. Scientists dream dreams of truth and see visions of reality. 'Dimensions,' 'singular points,' 'spheres,' and 'planes.' Natural phenomena and the invisible causal realms. The 'law of probability,' 'indeterminacy,' 'chance.' Early Christian, 'pagan,' and ancient, occult teachings about man and the Universe compared with those of modern science. Universal Consciousness-substance and the causal realms. God, or gods? Radiation, light, consciousnesses. Where are the invisible worlds and what are their inhabitants?
Chapter 6: Worlds Visible and Invisible, Part II
Universes, Hierarchies, and Logoi. Man and Universe six-sevenths or seven-tenths occult. The lokas and talas explained. Rupa-lokas and Earth's sevenfold Planetary Chain compared. The Seven Sacred Planets. Globe-bodies and planes. 'Conservation of energy.' Who are the Kosmokratores? The Moon and moons. Reimbodiment of globe-chain. Entire Solar System interblended and interactive. Modern astrology and the ancient Wisdom-Astrology. Captures, galactic and electronic. Classes of Monadic Life-Waves. Kosmic Space, Hierarchs, and Wondrous Beings. Archaic Pantheism. Christian God and the Unknowable Principle. Space a container of Divine Atoms.
Chapter 7: Evolving Souls, Part I
Evolution and Revolution. No absolute endings in evolution. 'Soul' and souls explained. Evolution and emanation: an analysis. Infinite hosts of souls: numerous illustrations. What are 'group-souls' and what constitutes 'grouping'? Enduring Consciousness and fugitive 'events.' The eternal and the evanescent in all beings. What is immortality? The 'losing' of the self in the SELF. 'As a man thinks, so is he.' The difference between man and beast. Solomon and Ecclesiastes. Man, a microcosm in the Macrocosm is yet One with the All.
Chapter 8: Evolving Souls, Part II
The four planes of Universal Being. Nature and evolution of elementals defined. Man his own architect. Our source and the origin of our life-atoms. Dual aspect of life-atoms. One Law but countless ramifications of detail and repetition. The heresy of Separateness. The rupa-planes and the Sephiroth of the Qabbalah. Every being a well-spring of 'creative' activity. What part of an ever-changing entity endures? Monadic generation of elementals continuous. Climbing the Ladder of Life.
Chapter 9: The Evolutionary Pathway to the Gods
Monadism and Atomism: the essential carpentry of the manifested Universe. Druidic and other ancient teachings. Self-expression eternal and universal. Evolution and involution. Possibility of understanding states of consciousness during pralaya of a planetary chain or solar system. The Garden of Eden, and Man a 'fallen angel,' theosophically explained. The War in Heaven. Teleologic element in evolution and the evils of Darwinism. The great evolutionary Drama of Life. The Rivers of Lives and geologic Ages in the light of Theosophy. Evolution entirely a spiritual process.
Chapter 10: Esoteric Teachings on the Evolution of Human and Animal Beings
H. P. Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine, and Esoteric Evolution. Teachings of modern science, and the difficulties of expounding the Wisdom-teachings. Human development during past ages. Whence came the beasts and reptiles? Man, his physical structure during the First and Second Races, and physical modes of propagation. The human embryo and its prenatal development in relation to physical structure of early Man. Androgyne and unisexual development. Evolution and involution and the 'closing of the door' into the Human Kingdom. What are the anthropoid apes? Destiny of the beasts. Emanation of Mammalia from the human stock. What is a 'type'? Time periods, geologic ages, and radio-activity. Specialization. Spiritual, intellectual, and psycho-mental evolution. Consolidation and size of early root-race types. Man, a vast treasury. Embryology, the touchstone. Geological remains.
Chapter 11: The Turning of the Wheel -- The Past
Civilization and civilizations. Periods of transition illustrated by time of downfall of the Roman Empire. Divination, soothsayers, etc., then and now. Oracles and the Wisdom of the Ages. The closing of the Mystery-Schools and the age of spiritual barrenness in the Occident. Astronomical teachings of early Mesopotamia. Claudius Ptolemy and his legacy to the Dark Ages. Graeco-Roman world the alembic of religions and philosophies two thousand years ago. Pioneers of the Renaissance: their interpretations of Truth and the reception they received. The significance of the founding of the Theosophical Society. Mutability of Science and permanence of the Ancient Wisdom. The scientific attitude fifty years ago and now.
Chapter 12: The Turning of the Wheel -- The Present
Intellectual conditions of 1875. H. P. Blavatsky, her life-work, the Message she brought, and her Teachers. Responsibility of the Sages and Seers, and the 'law' of Karman. The quickening of Science, Philosophy, and Religion. The Atomistic School of the Greeks and its influence on Newton and Huxley. 'Modes of Motion,' 'absolute time,' and 'absolute space.' Einstein's 'space-time continuum.' Relativity and Maya. Seven points wherein the modern relativity-theory approaches the Esoteric Tradition. Vision versus dogmatism in Science: some examples. Modern Science becoming metaphysical and mystical. The promise of the future.
Chapter 13: Behind the Veils with Science, Part I
Modern Science elucidating some of the teachings of the great Sages. The true status of ancient civilizations. Are the present 'primitive' people representatives of degenerate or of embryo-races? The Negro Race. What is science? Modern scientific conceptions of consciousness. Some conceptions of the atom and atomic space and time. What animates an atom? Illusions of 'matter'; the ether, and the Void. 'Density' of the ether, and Maya. Akasa, spirit-substance-force, or Life. The Galaxy, its form, size, and some of its suns. Fallacy of the theory of the 'expanding universe.'
Chapter 14: Behind the Veils with Science, Part II
A Universe of Consciousness: a most important postulate. Consciousness the root of force or energy. Explanation of Gravitation and the Forces of Nature. Newton's conception of same. Empedocles on Cosmic 'Love' and 'Hate.' 'Space-curvature' and the 'Cosmic Rays.' Pralayas and Manvantaras. Spencer and a 'running down' Universe. Outworn terminology hampers scientific expression. 'Creation.' Hydrogen and helium and the processes of integration and disintegration. Laya-centers, 'singular points,' and 'dimensions.' All matter concreted light. The 'Quantum Theory.' Prout's Hypothesis and 'isotopes.' No limits to the divisibility of matter. The inner god in man and the forces of the invisible realms of Nature. Our five senses and the Root-Races.
Chapter 15: Webs of Destiny, Part I
The Cosmic Web, a Universe of Law infilled by willing agents. Fatalism, Karman, and Free Will. 'Unmerited suffering' and Karman. What is Karman? The web, the causal forces, and man himself. Laws and law-givers. The conflict of wills in evolving entities. Good and Evil, 'spiritual wickedness,' and the 'forces of evil.' Past and present ideas of divinity, and certain Articles of Faith. Webs in the weaving, and the human and cosmic weavers. Schools of Fatalism. 'Determinacy' and 'indeterminacy.' What originates causes? Man the Actor. Unfolding will as the impulse to evolutionary ascent. Explanation of the phrase 'above Karman.'
Chapter 16: Webs of Destiny, Part II
Essential unity and identity of all Beings, and the Great Heresy. Individual and universal contributors to the Manvantaric Web of Cosmos. Psychological influence of Maya. Karman and the Mahamaya. "As ye sow, so shall ye also reap." Destiny and the Greek teachings. Ethical responsibility and Karman. 'Sins' of commission and 'sins' of omission. Karman and 'unmerited suffering.' Classes of Karman. The Reincarnating Ego and the choice before Rebirth. The Insane and Karman. Great world-catastrophes. The Immanent Christ and the intricacies of individual Karman. The Buddhist teaching of Karman.
Chapter 17: Heavens and Hells, Part I
Pure and perverted teachings of the post-mortem states. Similarities and variances in the conceptions of 'heaven' and 'hell,' and the orthodox ideas. Superstition. Mansions of experience in the Universe. "In my Father's house are many mansions." Lokas and talas. Attractions and repulsions of peregrinating beings. Nirvana, Devachan, Avichi, Nirvana-Avichi and Kama-loka. Our Earth a Myalba. Post-mortem destiny of the human soul. Pantheism and evolution. Emanational evolution as distinct from Darwinism. What is retribution? Heavens and hells both manifold and temporary. Earth but one of many Cosmic Inns of Life.
Chapter 18: Heavens and Hells, Part II
'Heavens' and 'hells' in myth and legend and ancient literature. The 'paths to the gods' and the 'paths to the fathers.' Evolution in process throughout the composite organism of the Universe. 'Death,' the human soul, and the Reincarnating Ego. What happens to the evil man after death? Relative and intermediate states of bliss and misery. The Tattwas defined and described. Nirvana, identity or nonentity. Plotinus 'On the Problem of the Soul.' The Inner God and the personality. The Nirvani, the Devachani and the state of Avichi. The 'lost soul' and the future of its Monad. Man carves his own destiny. The grand vision of endless growth.
Chapter 19: Reimbodiment as Taught through the Ages, Part I
Pre-existence, Reimbodiment, Rebirth, Palingenesis, Transmigration, Metempsychosis, Reincarnation, and Metensomatosis, defined and described. The relation of the Reimbodying Ego to the above. 'Coming anew into life,' a universal teaching. Skeptics powerless to disprove Rebirth. The Egyptians, metempsychosal reincarnation, and Herodotus. Why did the Egyptians mummify their dead? The origin of the Egyptians. The Encyclopaedia Britannica and Metempsychosis: a correction. Josephus, the Pharisees, and Reincarnation. The Universal System and Philo Judaeus.
Chapter 20: Reimbodiment as Taught through the Ages, Part II
Disappearance of the doctrine of Reimbodiment in the sixth century. Scattered groups who retained it: Albigenses, Cathari, Bogomils. Doctrine taught among earliest Christians as illustrated by citations from Origen, Jerome, and Clement. Hints as to the doctrine of Reimbodiment found in the Bible. Later believers in some form of metempsychosal reimbodiment: Giordano Bruno, van Helmont, Swedenborg, Goethe, Lessing, Herder. Illustrations of modern conceptions and misconceptions of the doctrine. The doctrine of Reimbodiment as given in the Orphic teachings.
Chapter 21: How Man Is Born and Reborn, Part I
The causes of rebirth. Love, a great re-uniting power from life to life. The impersonal Eros of the Cosmos. The greater reunion at the end of the Manvantara. The power of thought in building our future destiny on Earth. Reincarnation explains what becomes of unexhausted energies generated in earth-life. What is heredity? Sex not a radical thing. Explanation of the ego's entrance into male or female body. The Theosophical conception of marriage. Hate as well as love, a great magnetic power. 'Not remembering past lives' no argument against Reincarnation.
Chapter 22: How Man Is Born and Reborn, Part II
How character is builded. Sorrow and suffering, proofs of Nature's compassionate heart. What it is that reincarnates. Law concerning length of devachanic period. Why we need a devachanic rest. Renunciation of the devachanic rest and shortening of that period possible. The devachanic type of character here on Earth. Unusual cases considered: death of small children; premature death in adult life: by disease, by violence; suicides, congenital idiots. Reincarnation of animals. Man becomes whatever he longs for. Reimbodiment, the doctrine of another chance.
Chapter 23: 'Life,' in Fact and in Theory, Part I
Nineteenth century materialism: an era of contradictions. The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett gives insight into the nature of that era. Twentieth century has seen a change in outlook. Western theological and scientific meaning of 'life.' 'Life' and 'death' are two processes. The doctrine of Swabhava. Explanation of the term 'Monadic Ray.' The 'new man' the karman of the 'old man.' 'Life' and 'death' inextricably interwoven.
Chapter 24: 'Life' in Fact and in Theory, Part II
Life not an 'entity' separate from matter. Theories of the Mechanists and Vitalists. Animism. No gulf between matter and spirit. Table of radiations of various frequencies illustrating gradual mergence of ethereal substance into material substance. What is Life per se? Beginnings and endings are dreams of illusion. Nature in continual birth. Death merely a sloughing off of vehicles. What death will be for us in the future. Death and sleep are one. The source of our essential life is the Divine Monad.
Chapter 25: The Astral Light and the Life-Atoms, Part I
Immobility impossible in the Universe. Dissolution inevitable to all compounded beings. No permanent individuals to be found in bodies. The astral worlds. The nature of the physical body. Explanation of radioactivity in the mineral world. The constitution of Globe D, our Earth. Peregrinations of the life-atoms in a human physical body during earth-life. Analogy of this process with the after-death peregrinations of the life-atoms. Death and other subjects as taught in the Mystery-Schools. The Seven Principles of Man as taught by the Romans and by the Greeks. The relation of the Seven Principles of Man to the Cosmic Principles. Greek and Roman teachings regarding the Underworld.
Chapter 26: The Astral Light and the Life-Atoms, Part II
Cause of death from the vehicular standpoint. Peregrination of the physical life-atoms after death. Life-atoms on every plane of man's being. Journeys of the astral life-atoms after death. Difference between the Linga-sarira and the Kama-rupa. Fate of the Kama-rupa of man after death. Our responsibility in connexion with the life-atoms of our various bodies. Description of the picking up of bodies on return of Ego into earth-life. Explanation of the Christian dogma of the 'resurrection of the body.' Every vehicle a 'mode' of consciousness. Circulations of the life-atoms in the Cosmos.
Chapter 27: Death -- And After: A Study of Consciousness, Part I
The consciousness-side of the after-death states. A discussion of the subject of consciousness. The 'I am' consciousness and the 'I am I' consciousness in man. The Sutratman or Thread-Self. Plato's teaching of Anamnesis. The unfolding of consciousness in earth-life. The cause of physical death from the standpoint of consciousness. The 'dreams' of the Devachan. The panoramic view of the past life at the moment of death. Description of the destiny of the intermediate nature after death. Description of the Kama-loka. The opportunities which old age brings.
Chapter 28: Death -- And After: A Study of Consciousness, Part II
The Radiance of the Reincarnating Ego: what it is and its destiny after the death of the body. The identity of sleep and death. The nature of dreams. Study of consciousness. The seven states of human consciousness: four main divisions defined. Advice to those who watch at a deathbed.
Chapter 29: The Circulations of the Cosmos
The ancient science of Astrology: what its teachings comprised. The status of modern Astrology. The mystic numbers 4, 3, 2. Esoteric hints in lines from Vergil's Georgics. Ranges of consciousness of the various monads in man. The eternal peregrinations of the Monad. The Seven Sacred Planets in relation to the peregrinations of the Monad. The vital currents in the cosmic organism. Facts about the Mithraic teachings. Explanations of the two kinds of Outer Rounds. Trishna or 'thirst' for earth-life. Deductions to be drawn from the Theosophical teachings about death and the after-death states.
Chapter 30: Birth and Before Birth
The garments or veils evolved by the Monad. The relation of a human parent to the genealogical stream which follows him. Relation between the peregrinations of the Monad and the stay of the Reincarnating Ego in the Devachan. More detailed description of the return of the Reincarnating Ego into earth-life. The inter-atomic and intra-atomic ethers. The sacred mystery of birth. What is protoplasm? The constitution of the germ-cell. The aura: a psycho-magnetic-electric atmosphere. Kinetic and dormant life-atoms. More about the mysteries of birth.
Chapter 31: Great Sages and Their Place in the Cosmic Hierarchy
Who and what the great Sages are. Guides and protectors of the human race. Explanation of various names given to them. Legends concerning them. Their natural 'powers.' The true nature of 'miracles.' The rationale of human perfectibility. The graduated scale of beings from elementals to gods. The fundamental unity of all classes of beings. The doctrine of the Silent Watcher, the spiritual Hierarch of our Globe.
Chapter 32: Pneumatology and Psychology: Mysteries of Man's Inner Nature, Part I
The Christian doctrine of spirit, soul, and body. Esoteric teaching of man as sevenfold (or tenfold) being. The sevenfold division of the Universe. Man builded of elements drawn from the cosmic reservoir. Man as a host of monads. Man as a threefold entity. The nature of true psychology and of pneumatology. The 'I am' and the 'I am I' in man. The normal and abnormal interactive functioning of 'spirit,' 'soul,' and 'body.' Cases of supernormal activity of the Upper Duad. The great Teachers as willing human instruments of a spiritual Essence.
Chapter 33: Pneumatology and Psychology: Mysteries of Man's Inner Nature, Part II
Human beings divisible into three general classes. The status of the intermediate or psychological part of the constitution in these three classes. The 'Voice of Conscience.' Intuition, Inspiration, and Genius, explained. Avataras and the mystery of their existence. Connexion between Jesus, Sankaracharya, and the Buddha. Minor Avataras. The Messenger an Avatara of a kind: H. P. Blavatsky an instance. The destiny of the 'I am I' consciousness. The emanational unfolding of man's sevenfold being follows universal plan. How union with the divinity within may be begun and continued to a glorious consummation.
Chapter 34: Great Seers Versus Visionaries
What constitutes a Seer? The status of the visionary or semi-mystic. The source of his 'visions.' The Astral Light: its characteristics, its illusions, its dangers. Denizens of the astral world. The spiritual Seer and the Akasa. Why visionaries often mislead. Where the Masters of Wisdom live and why there. How one may distinguish between the Seer and the visionary. Two main tests of the true Teacher: universality of teaching, and inner virtue. Some visionaries of superior type. Why the Seer is a spiritual Teacher. The purpose of training and initiation. Minor initiations. Explanations of 'angels' and other 'visitants' from higher realms. Two authentic sources of knowledge available to the spiritual Teacher.
Chapter 35: The Esoteric Schools
The age of the Mystery-Schools. The nature of the Atlantean Race. The Mystery-Schools as the seats of learning in ancient times. The degeneration of the Mystery-Schools. Initiated Roman Emperors. Training in chelaship. Prophetic writings depicting the approach of spiritual darkness: Second Epistle of Peter, Vishnu-Purana, Hermetic writings. Cyclic appearances of Teachers or their Messengers. How the Teachers of mankind work. The present existence of the Mystery-Schools. The Occult Succession or Hermetic Chain of Teachers. The stuff of which disciples are made.
Chapter 36: Postscript: Some Misunderstood Teachings of the Mysteries
Mystery-Schools the foci of spiritual light. Intimate connexion between the cosmic cycles and man's life on Earth. The story of Jesus a mystery-tale. Interpretation of the story of Jesus' entering Jerusalem on an ass and the foal of an ass. Meaning of the Epiphany. When did Jesus really live? The aureole, nimbus, aura, etc. Christianity a syncretistic system. Early identity of Jesus with the 'Sol Invictus.' Ancient customs and beliefs in regard to the Winter-Solstice festival. Interpretation of the dogma of the Virgin Birth. Significance of the legend of the Three Magi.
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(Reprinted from the First Edition)
The writing of these volumes has not been an easy task, and this for a number of reasons, first and foremost among which has been the lack of leisure-hours to devote to it. Dictation proceeded from the first page to the last in a hurry and often at high speed, for it was the only way of producing this work within a reasonable time after its forthcoming publication had first been mentioned by the author in the summer of 1934. Had time been taken to prepare the manuscript in a manner pleasing to the author himself and his co-workers, its appearance might have been delayed for a year or two, or possibly longer. In that event the author would have been able to follow the most excellent advice offered by the genial Horace, the Latin poet, in his Satires, I, x, 73: Saepe stilum vertas, iterum quae digna legi sint scripturus. However, there has been no time to "reverse the pencil" for the purpose of erasing, nor has there been any leisure for revision and for the polishing of phrases.
It is due in large part to the devotion and enthusiasm of a number of friends and students attached to the different departments at the International Theosophical Headquarters at Point Loma, that The Esoteric Tradition now at last is given to its readers. To Dr. Joseph H. Fussell, who read the proof-sheets and offered valuable suggestions; Miss Helen Savage, who did the secretarial work; Mrs. Hazel Minot, responsible for checking and verifying of quotations; Mrs. Guy Ponsonby and Mr. S. Hecht, who prepared the copious index; Miss Elizabeth Schenck, Miss Grace Knoche, and Mr. W. E. Small, who read proof: to these and to all others who have helped in any way whatsoever to forward the publication of this book, the author gives his grateful thanks.
Special mention should be made of the Theosophical University Press, where everyone, the Manager and the Assistant Manager and all others composing the staff, co-operated to devote what time could be set aside from the regular issuing of our various magazines and other routine press-work, to the composition and later printing of these volumes.
As regards a number of citations appearing in this work and taken from books written in languages other than English, mostly in ancient tongues, it may be as well to say that wherever possible the author has used standard or popular translations, but in certain cases where he felt better satisfied with his own renderings, he has done the work of translation himself.
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One cannot too often repeat what H. P. Blavatsky pointed out in her 'Introductory' to The Secret Doctrine, Vol. I, p. xix:
It is above everything important to keep in mind that no theosophical book acquires the least additional value from pretended authority.
Every Theosophical book must stand on its own ground of merit, and if it have demerit greater than its merit, by that demerit it will fall -- and the sooner it falls the better for all concerned. The present writer feels this fact very strongly in connexion with these volumes, his own latest contribution to Theosophical literature; and, although they are for him and his co-workers a labor of pure theosophical devotion and love, he not only expects but desires that these volumes shall speak solely for themselves, and shall stand upon their own grounds of appeal. What is good in them will endure: if there is anything that is not good, let it perish and perish rapidly.
Works like this present literary venture are badly needed in the world today. The dissemination of Theosophical thought among men can be aided greatly by new presentations of the age-old verities preserved by the Masters of Wisdom and of Compassion from immemorial ages in the past.
One is reminded in this connexion of an important letter written by the Master Kuthumi, dated December 10, 1880, and found in the memorable volume entitled The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, transcribed and compiled by A. T. Barker. The following extract from this letter is found on pages 23 and 24, as changed, however, by the exalted writer's own corrections to be found on pages 425 and 426 of the same book:
The truths and mysteries of occultism constitute, indeed, a body of the highest spiritual importance, at once profound and practical for the world at large. Yet, it is not as a mere addition to the tangled mass of theory or speculation in the world of science that they are being given to you, but for their practical bearing on the interests of mankind. The terms "unscientific," "impossible," "hallucination," "impostor," have hitherto been used in a very loose, careless way, as implying in the occult phenomena something either mysterious and abnormal, or a premeditated imposture. And this is why our chiefs have determined to shed upon a few recipient minds more light upon the subject,. . . . The wiseacres say: "The age of miracles is past," but we answer, "it never existed!" . . . [These truths] have to prove both destructive and constructive -- destructive in the pernicious errors of the past, in the old creeds and superstitions which suffocate in their poisonous embrace like the Mexican weed nigh all mankind; but constructive of new institutions of a genuine, practical Brotherhood of Humanity where all will become co-workers of nature, will work for the good of mankind with and through the higher planetary Spirits -- the only "Spirits" we believe in. [From here on the italics represent the 'corrections' above referred to.] Phenomenal elements previously unthought of, . . . will disclose at last the secrets of their mysterious workings. Plato was right to readmit every element of speculation which Socrates had discarded. The problems of universal being are not unattainable or worthless if attained. . . . "Ideas rule the world"; and as men's minds receive new ideas, laying aside the old and effete the world (will) advance; mighty revolutions (will) spring from them; institutions (aye, and even creeds and powers, they may add) -- WILL crumble before their onward march. . . . It will be just as impossible to resist their influence when the time comes as to stay the progress of the tide. . . . all this will come gradually on; and . . . before it comes they as well as ourselves, have all a duty to perform, a task set before us: that of sweeping away as much as possible the dross left to us by our pious forefathers. New ideas have to be planted on clean places, for these ideas touch upon the most momentous subjects. It is not physical phenomena . . . but these universal ideas that we have precisely to study: the noumenon not the phenomenon, for, to comprehend the LATTER we have first to understand the FORMER. They do touch man's true position in the Universe, . . . It is not physical phenomena however wonderful that can ever explain to man his origin let alone his ultimate destiny, . . . -- the relation of the mortal to the immortal, of the temporary to the eternal, of the finite to the Infinite, etc., etc.
Verily, it is these "universal ideas" that all should study, and which by their influence over human minds will bring about the change in human consciousness that all true Theosophists work for and aspire towards, thus helping in the bringing about of that which the Theosophical Society was originally founded in 1875 to introduce.
Let it be remembered that there exists a universal and really infallible test or touchstone by which any new increments of Theosophical teaching may be tried, and this test or touchstone is UNIVERSALITY. Universality here is equivalent to spirituality; and any teaching which can be proved to be universal, in the sense of being accordant with and in concord with all other great teachings of the past -- or of the present -- has high probability of being a true Theosophical verity; and contrariwise, any teaching which cannot be proved to be inherent in and a part of the great deliveries of Theosophical truths in the past, may by the same token be safely rejected as being new in the sense of different and more or less spurious, because failing to withstand successfully the test just mentioned.
In the future, it is the present writer's hope, if he can find the time and strength so to do, to publish another volume or two containing Theosophical teaching which up to the present time has been kept strictly private. The reason for this decision is the great, indeed enormous, advance in thought that has taken place since the days when H. P. Blavatsky labored in her Herculean fashion to break what she called the "molds of mind." What then was esoteric, at least in certain measure -- esoteric simply because it was truly impossible then to state it openly, for it infallibly would have been misunderstood and misused -- would in moderate degree be understood today by the more awakened intelligence of modern men; and the consequent larger measure of generous receptivity to new ideas has created an entirely different and indeed fallow field of consciousness, in which it has become the duty of Theosophists to plant seeds of truth. We shall see.
Meanwhile, the two volumes of the present work go to the reading public, whose verdict upon them the author will await with feelings composite of a sense of humor and a great deal of human interest. Nothing in either volume is the offspring of his own brain. His position in this respect is precisely identical with that of every Theosophical writer who is a true Theosophist at heart and who knows what he writes about: Iti maya srutam -- "Thus have I heard." "I pass on what has been given to me and in the manner in which I have received it. Not otherwise." Hence the author refuses to clothe himself in the skin of an ass, or -- in that of a lion!
-- G. de P.
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