Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00400)

Dear Daniel writes

 > Guenon's book on Theosophy was first published in Paris
> in 1921. Steiner's comments were made in 1915-1916 (or as
> early as 1905-06?) and Harrison's lectures were given in 1893 and
> published in 1894. Therefore, is it not possible that
> both Steiner and Guenon simply read Harrison's book
> and regurgitated the material with their own "additions"?

Maybe, maybe not. They were after all metaphysicians in their own right.

> How many of their assertions can be verified or falsified
> based on known historical facts? For example, Steiner
> cannot correctly tell his audience what Colonel Olcott actually
> wrote in his PEOPLE FROM THE OTHER WORLD. This
> is just one example where his "knowledge" and/or
> "clairvoyance" is put to the test and is shown to be plain wrong.

There are three possilbities
1 He was wrong on this- which does not discount the rest of the material.
2 The passage was removed after the first edition. A practice not uncommon
in Theosophical books.
 3 There was a transcription error in the shorthand notes taken at the
lecture and not reviewed by the lecturer.

> We know next to nothing about Harrison himself
> who apparently was the first person to speak about these
> "novel facts" on HPB. Harrison's "knowledge"
> is based on an "unnamed" informant.
> One speculation is that this informant was C.C. Massey.
> I believe John Cooper has disputed this speculation.
> But even if the informant was Charles Carleton Massey,
> what was the sources of his "information"?
Later

> In other words, how can you distinguish between the so-called
> TRUTH and DELUSION concerning this apect of HPB's
> life?
>
One cannot in this day and age base written works solely on authorities.
The truth is neither you nor I know the true course of these events. That
does not mean that some enlightened souls may.
Just because a piece of literature has "by a Great Master" written on it
doesn't mean we roll over and play dead. The use of the names K.H., M, Maha
Chohan and Saint Germain is now degraded, they're only dragged out to put a
stamp of authority on written works or someone's actions, one which we
should all be careful of.

"There is no religion higher than truth."
Bruce