Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00045)

Even Madame Blavatsky believed there were "charlatanesque imitations 
of Occultism & Theosophy" during her lifetime. 

Therefore, are some Theosophical students on Theos-Talk contending 
that since 1891 there have been no other "charlatanesque imitations" 
of Theosophy? 

Here is what HPB wrote in 1889:

". . . A new and rapidly growing danger. . . is threatening . . . the 
spread of the pure Esoteric Philosophy and knowledge. . . . I 
allude to those charlatanesque imitations of Occultism and 
Theosophy. . . . By pandering to the prejudices of people, and 
especially by adopting the false ideas of a personal God and a 
personal, carnalized Saviour, as the groundwork of their teaching, 
the leaders of this 'swindle' (for such it is) are endeavoring to 
draw men to them and in particular to turn Theosophists from the true 
path."

". . . A close examination will assuredly reveal. . . materials 
largely stolen . . . from Theosophical writings. . . [and] distorted 
and falsified so as to be palmed off on the unwary as revelations of 
new and undreamed of truths. But many will neither have the time nor 
the opportunity for such a thorough investigation; and before they 
become aware of the imposture they may be led far from the 
Truth. . . . Nothing is more dangerous to Esoteric Truth than the 
garbled and distorted versions disfigured to suit the prejudices and 
tastes of men in general." 

H. P. Blavatsky, E.S. Instruction No. I., 1889. 
Quoted from: http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/hpbes1extract.htm

Daniel H. Caldwell
BLAVATSKY ARCHIVES
http://hpb.cc