Theos-Talk Archives (November 2000 Message tt00082)

> Words can only cover so much Peter, but this is to me an
> example of the genius of Madame Blavatskaya and we can
> appreciate it in its own right.

Yes, I agree with you, Art. The whole of the Secret Doctrine from which
this passage comes is an example of the "genius" of HPB and the Mahatmas who
together produced that work.

I would also suggest that there are many dimensions and aspects to wonder at
in the passage you qouted. I have no doubt each of us will see and respond
to different facets of the truth that shines therein. The fact that words
are limited need not prevent us from attempting to share our different
understandings. Thus, I merely wondered what it was that had touched you
and henced moved you to forward this passage to the list.

To mention only a few:

Some might wonder 'who' or 'what' is the "Initiator", the solitary Watcher,
called the "GREAT SACRIFICE", the MAHA-GURU?

Some might wonder might it means that ALL "the other less divine Teachers
and instructors of mankind became.. the early guides of Humanity" under the
direct and silent guidance of the MAHA-GURU.

Who might these "early guides" be? They are called the "instructors",
called "Sons of God", and are said to have laid the foundation stones of
civilizations that stretch back into a past millions of years old. The time
scale is immense compared to our usual view of evolution.

Others might wonder that this solitary watcher who does not quit his post
till the last day of the cycle, even though he has nought else to learn on
'earth' or in 'heaven', might somehow reflect one of the deepest laws in
Nature, of which the later Buddhas of Compassion embody. For it is said in
THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE:

"The "Secret Way" leads also to Paranirvanic bliss -- but at the close of
Kalpas without number; Nirvanas gained and lost from boundless pity and
compassion for the world of deluded mortals."

"Compassion is no attribute. It is the LAW of LAWS -- eternal Harmony,
Alaya's SELF; a shoreless universal essence, the light of everlasting Right,
an fitness of all things, the law of love eternal. The more thou dost
become at one with it, thy being melted in its BEING, the more thy Soul
unites with that which IS, the more thou wilt become COMPASSION ABSOLUTE."

... and the footnote to the above passage states:

"This "compassion" must not be regarded in the same light as "God, the
divine love" of the Theists. Compassion stands here as an abstract,
impersonal law whose nature, being absolute Harmony, is thrown into
confusion by discord, suffering and sin."

There is much to truly wonder at; much for the soul to contemplate.

...Peter




THE GREAT SACRIFICE

He is the "Initiator", called the "GREAT SACRIFICE". For sitting at the
threshold of LIGHT, he looks into it from within the circle of Darkness,
which he will not cross; nor will he quit his post till the last day of this
life-cycle. Why does the solitary Watcher remain at his self-chosen post?
Why does he sit by the fountain of primeval Wisdom, of which he drinks no
longer, as he had naught to learn which he does not know - aye, neither on
this Earth, nor in its heaven? Because the lonely, sore-footed pilgrims on
their way back to their home are never sure to the last moment of not losing
their way in this limitless desert of illusion and matter called Earth-Life.
Because he would fain show the way to that region of freedom and light, from
which he is a voluntary exile himself, to every prisoner who has succeeded
in liberating himself for the sake of mankind, though but a few Elect may
profit by the GREAT SACRIFICE.
It is under the direct, silent guidance of this MAHA - (great) - GURU
that all the other less divine Teachers and instructors of mankind became,
from the first awakening of human consciousness, the guides of early
Humanity. It is through these "Sons of God" that infant humanity got its
first notions of all the arts and sciences, as well as of spiritual
knowledge; and it is they who have laid the first foundation-stone of those
ancient civilizations that puzzle so sorely our modern generation of
students and scholars.

(from The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, Page 208)

H. P. BLAVATSKY