Theos-Talk Archives (December 2003 Message tt00074)

I will give my opinion about this controversial subject, but first let us
remind ourselves about what HPB wrote, in 1889, in The Key to Theosophy:

"THEOSOPHIST. Scarcely. But I must tell you that during the last quarter of
every hundred years an attempt is made by those "Masters," of whom I have
spoken, to help on the spiritual progress of Humanity in a marked and
definite way. Towards the close of each century you will invariably find
that an outpouring or upheaval of spirituality -- or call it mysticism if
you prefer -- has taken place. Some one or more persons have appeared in the
world as their agents, and a greater or less amount of occult knowledge and
teaching has been given out. If you care to do so, you can trace these
movements back, century by century, as far as our detailed historical
records extend.
ENQUIRER. But how does this bear on the future of the Theosophical Society?
THEOSOPHIST. If the present attempt, in the form of our Society, succeeds
better than its predecessors have done, then it will be in existence as an
organized, living and healthy body when the time comes for the effort of the
XXth century. The general condition of men's minds and hearts will have been
improved and purified by the spread of its teachings, and, as I have said,
their prejudices and dogmatic illusions will have been, to some extent at
least, removed. Not only so, but besides a large and accessible literature
ready to men's hands, the next impulse will find a numerous and united body
of people ready to welcome the new torch-bearer of Truth. He will find the
minds of men prepared for his message, a language ready for him in which to
clothe the new truths he brings, an organization awaiting his arrival, which
will remove the merely mechanical, material obstacles and difficulties from
his path."

In my view, HPB's prophecy was fulfilled exactly by A Course in Miracles
(ACIM). The first edition of this book was copyrighted in 1975. Since
then, more than 1.5 million copies have been sold. Dozens of commentaries
have been written on ACIM and there are many newsletters, foundations, and
teaching organizations that promote it. Indeed, you will often find ACIM
study groups at various theosophical societies.

ACIM was channeled by Helen Schucman, who was a Professor of Medical
Psychology at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in
New York City. Helen received this material through a process of inner
dictation. According to her belief and experience, she received ACIM from
the Master Jesus; indeed, ACIM is written in a first-person voice as though
it was composed by the Master Jesus. During the rest of her life, Helen
maintained her anonymity regarding ACIM, because an existing organization,
called the Foundation of Inner Peace, took responsibility for publishing and
publicizing ACIM.

Consider how HPB's predictions were fulfilled: ACIM is supposedly "an
attempt made by those Masters," namely, Jesus; it flourished "during the
last quarter" of the past century, starting in 1975; Helen Schucman
"appeared in the world as [one of] their agents"; there was "an organization
awaiting" the arrival of ACIM, namely the Foundation of Inner Peace, which
did "remove the merely mechanical, material obstables and difficulties" from
ACIM's path; and various theosophical societies provided "organized, living"
bodies that helped to support and promote ACIM meetings.

Zack Lansdowne