Theos-Talk Archives (March 2004 Message tt00709)

I would suggest that the following extract from 
H.P. Blavatsky is as relevant today as it was
when first written. In fact, every sentence of
this extract is full of meaning and students
would do well to ponder on the implications found
in H.P.B.'s words. 

First the quote and then some questions:
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". . . 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 in "E.S. Instruction No. I.", 1889.
Quoted from: http://www.blavatskyarchives.com/ests1p2.htm
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Notice that H.P.B. states that there are in fact
"IMITATIONS of Occultism and Theosophy". 

When H.P.B. contrasts "PURE Esoteric Philosophy 
and knowledge" with "garbled and distorted versions" 
of Esoteric Truth, what is the STANDARD by which
she can judge that one was PURE while the other
was GARBLED and DISTORTED?

How would a student of H.P.B.'s writings distinguish 
BETWEEN the pure and distorted versions?

Why does H.P.B. use the terms DANGER and DANGEROUS
to describe these IMITATIONS of Occultism and Theosophy?

Notice that H.P.B. warns that many students "may be led 
far from the Truth." What is she referring to?

Daniel
http://hpb.cc