Theos-Talk Archives (October 1997 Message tt00185)

Paul Johnson:

> But after a string of praise in Theosophical journals, the pieces
> by Algeo and more particularly Eklund gave a clear signal that
> the subject was to be squelched.  Thereafter nothing more was
> heard of it in Theosophical publications to my knowledge.

Paul Johnson seems to think "The Masters Revealed" was a review
of his book.  It was not.  It was written for those Theosophists
devoted to the Masters and the Bodhisattvic ideal, and sent to
two Theosophical journals, one in India and one in America since
I wasn't sure ~The Theosophist~ would accept it.  There was no
attempt or wish to squelch anybody.

> In my case, Dara Eklund wrote an article entitled "The Masters
> Revealed" presenting the case that the only way to know the
> Masters was through service, devotion, etc.  Without mentioning
> my name or my book, this leading Theosophical journal told
> readers who knew how to read between the lines that not only were
> the book and author not worth mentioning, but that the entire
> idea of historical research on HPB's sponsors was just plain
> misguided.  Elsewhere Dara has written that to identify the
> Masters with historical figures is to "downgrade" them, so it is
> clear where she stands on the matter.

My true view is that the Masters are exalted historical figures
who represent the highest development mankind can reach in this
cycle.  W.Q.J.  wrote that they are in every phase of our being
and can be reached through the Divine Self within.  He also spoke
of them as Facts in Nature.  Therefore to identify them with
politically motivated figures is indeed to degrade them.

However, to fairly research the Historicity of these figures who
in their own words prefer to remain obscure takes more than
academic research and intellectual inquiry or speculation.  It
takes an acquaintance with inner worlds and some spiritual
devotion, and success cannot be gauged by book reviews whether
laudatory or critical.