Theos-Talk Archives (April 2004 Message tt00254)

Pedro, you wrote:

---------------------------------------------
Probably this is the reason why when I became aware of
the controvesies surrounding "Theosophy and
Neo-Theosophy" I didn't give them much attention,
although I am familiar with the main arguments. And
that is still my point of view. Theosophical
historians may argue any way they want to try to prove
that Besant and Leadbeater "betrayed" HPB, that they
distorted the her teachings. That left me and leaves
me perfectly cold, for I know, from my earliest
association with theosophical studies, that the
essence of their contribution to theosophical
literature is a message of altruism and selfless
service. And this is the essence of Theosophy
according to HPB.
-----------------------------------------------

Pedro, you write that according to HPB "the essence
of Theosophy" is "a message of altruism and selfless service"
or IS "altruism and selfless service."

And you believe that Besant's and Leadbeater's contribution
to Theosophical literature is THAT "message of altruism and
selfless service."

Therefore in light of that, you don't pay much attention to
the controversies and "the main arguments" surrounding 
"Theosophy and Neo-Theosophy."

You apparently say that the contention that Besant and Leadbeater 
"betrayed" HPB by "distorting"her teachings leaves you "cold."

But though you may be left "perfectly cold" by these arguments and contentions,
it would appear that both Madame Blavatsky and the Master Koot Hoomi
were VERY MUCH concerned about the distorting and disfiguring of the
Theosophical teachings.

In HPB's great work, in the preface, we find the following statement:

"The publication of many of the facts herein stated has been rendered 
NECESSARY by the wild and fanciful speculations in which many Theosophists 
and students of mysticism have indulged, during the last few years. . . . 
THE SECRET DOCTRINE, Vol. 1, Page viii. caps added.

Notice HPB's adjectives: WILD .....FANCIFUL.

And Master Koot Hoomi told Colonel Olcott about the forthcoming
SECRET DOCTRINE:

"Every mistake or erroneous notion, corrected and explained by her [HPB] from 
the works of other theosophists was corrected by me, or under my instruction." 
Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Series I, p. 47 

Here KH was not inattentive or "perfectly cold" to such distortions but took an
active part in being sure that CORRECTIONS would be made.

Again notice KH's words: MISTAKE....ERRONEOUS notion....CORRECTED

And in THE MAHATMA LETTERS, Master KH writes:

"I dread the appearance in print of our philosophy as expounded by 
Mr. H[ume]. I read his three essays or chapters on God (?) cosmogony 
and glimpses of the origin of things in general, and had to cross out 
nearly all. . . . if he publishes what I read, I will have H.P.B. or 
Djual Khool deny the whole thing; as I cannot permit our sacred philosophy 
to be so disfigured. He says that people will not accept the whole truth. . .
In such a case the less such idiots hear of our doctrines the better 
for both. If they do not want the whole truth and nothing but the truth, 
they are welcome. But never will they find us -- (at any rate) -- compromising 
with, and pandering to public prejudices." 2nd ed., Letter 54

Notice KH's words: "I cannot permit our sacred philosophy to be so DISFIGURED...."
caps added

Pedro, though you may be inclined not to give "much attention" to the possible
disfiguring of Theosophy, here we find the Mahatma quite concerned and ready to
take action if necessary so that the public would not be misinformed and mislead.

Also in the opening pages of HPB's first instruction to her esoteric students,
she gives the following WARNING:

". . . 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." 

Notice HPB's key words: DANGER ....CHARLATANESQUE IMITATIONS....FALSE IDEAS...DISTORTED AND FALSIFIED....

She warns her students that such imitations, such false ideas, such
distorted and falsified teachings may TURN THEOSOPHISTS FROM THE TRUE
PATH....THEY MAY BE LED FAR FROM THE TRUTH.

And HPB's last sentence in her quote bears repetition:

"Nothing is more dangerous to Esoteric Truth than the garbled and 
distorted versions disfigured to suit the prejudices and tastes of 
men in general."

NOTHING IS MORE DANGEROUS.....garbled and distorted versions...disfigured
versions of Esoteric Truth or Theosophy.

If anything, HPB was WARNING her students to be ON THE LOOKOUT FOR and to 
pay ATTENTION for such "garbled and distorted versions" of Theosophy.

I could quote numerous other statements from HPB and KH which show that
THEY at least were NOT "cold" to such issues.

Daniel
http://hpb.cc
http://theosophy.info





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