Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00448)

The highest interest of humanity, as a whole, is their special
concern, for they have identified themselves with that Universal Soul
which runs through Humanity, and he, who would draw their attention,
must do so through that Soul which pervades everywhere. This
perception of the Manas may be called "faith" which should not be
confounded with blind belief. "Blind faith" is an expression sometimes
used to indicate belief without perception or understanding; while the
true perception of the Manas is that enlightened belief, which is the
real meaning of the word "faith." This belief should at the same time
be accompanied by knowledge, i.e., experience, for "true knowledge
brings with it faith." Faith is the perception of the Manas (the fifth
principle), while knowledge, in the true sense of the term, is the
capacity of the Intellect, i.e., it is spiritual perception. In short,
the higher individuality of man, composed of his higher Manas, the
sixth and the seventh principles, should work as a unity, and then
only can it obtain "divine wisdom," for divine things can be sensed
only by divine faculties. Thus the desire, which should prompt one to
apply for chelaship, is to so far understand the operations of the Law
of Cosmic Evolution as will enable him to work in harmonious accord
with Nature, instead of going against its purposes through ignorance.

Theosophist, July, 1884 




http://www.blavatsky.net/blavatsky/arts/MahatmasAndChelas.htm

Perry