Theos-Talk Archives (May 1999ar Message tt00177)

Mahatma Gandhi met HPB when he was a student in London. It was HPB who
convinced and encouraged Gandhi to study Indian Scriptures. I always
wondered for a long time why Gandhi was not involved with theosophical
society in spite of the close relationship he had with Annie Besant in the
Indian Independence movement. A couple of days ago I ran into a letter that
Gandhi wrote to Ernest Wood which seems to answer the question. The letter
and its background follows:

----------------- 
Wood writes:

In the case of Ramakrishna, HPB and all the gurus I had met -- in the
aphorisms of Patanjali also -- it was invariably stated that these psychic
powers were very minor matters, of very little practical value. The gurus
were mainly and seriously concerned with the application of the great
mental, moral, and spiritual experiences to a better and greater life --
liberation... Because of public confidence in its approachable  gurus,
"invisible" gurus and their teachings are rejected. I had a talk with Mr.
Gandhi in his home on this and other subjects, and afterwards he wrote me
the following letter,

Satyagraha Ashram
Wardha
26th October, 1933


Dear Friend,

   There is some truth in what you have heard. I was invited to become a
member of the Society when I was in Johannesburg, and I told the
Theosophical friends that I could not join a Society which believes in
secret methods and messages from invisible Mahatmas. I have always felt
these things are a serious hindrance in the search for truth.

Yours sincerely,

M K Gandhi

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