Theos-Talk Archives (November 2002 Message tt00257)

Extract:
"It was the mission of Madame Blavatsky, under the instructions of those
Adepts, to give to the world selected portions of that archaic teaching. It
should be remembered that an Adept -- a Master, is one who has achieved
immortality, and therefore has the power to perceive truth as it is and at
will to reflect it without distortion. It is because no one of lesser degree
can claim that power always and with certainty that Their testimony must be
regarded as the highest authority on all matters of occult doctrine and
practice. And here it must be stated unequivocally that from the point of
view of the "original programme" of the Society, no theosophical association
has any raison d'etre if it does not remain true to the Masters and their
teaching. There are some who seem to believe that it is possible to be
faithful to the Masters while denying even the theoretical truth of their
teaching. This is where the responsibility of the old Theosophical Society
is so grave. In his Introduction to The Mahatma Letters the writer had
occasion to point out in what important particulars that Society showed by
its actions a serious divergence from the spirit and letter of the original
teaching. That volume proves beyond question that H. P. B.'s writings are
absolutely consistent with the Masters' teachings, and in nothing is this
more clearly discernible than in her exposition of the doctrines relating to
the Life after Death."

A. TREVOR BARKER.
LONDON,
December, 1924.