Theos-Talk Archives (June 2005 Message tt00017)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Konstantin Zaitzev" 
<kay_ziatz@y...> wrote:
> 
> > How is it that occult powers differ from "sorcery" only 
> > through motive?
> 
> I think no. It's white & black magic differ by motive.
> Occultism differs from sorcery by knowledge.
> Occultist knows the forces and principles which he sets to work while 
> a sorcerer doesn't. He only knows some methods which give known 
> results and works mechanically in large extent, or through 
association 
> with spirits, animals and elementals.


Here are some interesting comments one from W. Q. Judge and one 
from HPB that seem to indicate that real Occultists of the Heart 
doctrine are not interested in developing or using the powers and 
forces that the sorceror abuses.

The Christs of all the ages have preached this one doctrine: Charity 
and Brotherhood of Man. To deny the law of charity is to deny the 
Christ. The Theosophical Society is not responsible for unveiling to 
the present generation the occult nature of man. Modern Spiritualism 
had already done this; nor is the responsibility to be charged to the 
Spiritualists, for these unseen forces had revealed themselves in the 
fullness of time, and many millions had become convinced, many against 
their wills, of the reality of the unseen universe. These things are 
here, and neither crimination, or recrimination is of any use. The 
responsibility therefore, rests entirely with the individual, as to 
what use he makes of his opportunities, as to his purposes and aims, 
and as he advances in his course, involved in the circle of necessity, 
he influences whether he will or no, those whose spheres of life touch 
at any point his own. As ye sow, so shall ye also reap. By and by the 
cycle will close and both the evil and the good will return like bread 
cast upon the waters. This is a law of all life.
Imagine not that they are weak and vacillating souls who enter the left-
hand road: Lucifer was once a prince of light, admitted to the councils 
of the Most High. He fell through pride, and dragged downward in his 
fall all who worshipped the demon pride. This is no foolish fable, but 
a terrible tragedy, enacted at the gates of paradise, in the face of 
the assembled universe, and reenacted in the heart of man, the epitome 
of all. Only Infinite pity can measure the downfall of such an one, 
only Infinite love disarm by annihilation, and so put an end to 
unendurable woe, and that only when the cycle is complete, the measure 
of iniquity balanced by its measure of pain. Occultism and magic are 
not child's-play, as many may learn to their sorrow, as many visitants 
of dark circles have already and long ago discovered. Better give 
dynamite to our children as a plaything, than Magic to the 
unprincipled, the thoughtless, the selfish and ignorant. Let all who 
have joined the Theosophical Society remember this, and search their 
hearts before taking the first step in any magical formulary. The 
motive determines all. Occult power brings with it unknown and 
unmeasured responsibility.
If in the secret councils of the soul, where no eye can see, and no 
thought deceive that divine spark conscience, we are ready to forget 
self, to forego pride, and labor for the well-being of man, then may 
the upright man face his destiny, follow this guide and fear no evil. 
Otherwise it were far better that a millstone were hung about his neck, 
and he were cast into the depths of the sea.
PYTHAGORAS
Path, March, 1887

CONVERSATIONS ON OCCULTISM WITH HPB
IF WHITE MAGICIANS ACT, WHAT THEN?
"Look here; here's a man who wants to know why the Masters don't 
interpose at once and save his business. They don't seem to remember 
what it means for a Master to use occult force. If you explode 
gunpowder to split a rock you may knock down a house. There is a law 
that if a White Magician uses his occult power and equal amount of 
power may be used by the Black one. Chemists invent powders for 
explosives and wicked men may use them. You force yourself into Mater's 
presence and you take the consequences of the immense forces around him 
playing on yourself. If you are weak in character anywhere, the Black 
ones will use the disturbance by directing the forces engendered to 
that spot and may compass your ruin. It is so always. Pass the boundary 
that hedges in the occult realm, and quick forces, new ones, dreadful 
ones, must be met. Then if you are not strong you may become a wreck 
for that life. This is the danger. This is one reason why Masters do 
not appear and do not act directly very often, but nearly always by 
intermediate degrees. What do you say,-'the dual forces in nature'? 
Precisely, that's just it; and Theosophists should remember it."
DO MASTERS PUNISH?
"Now I'm not going to tell you about this. They are just; They embody 
the Law and Compassion. Do not for an instant imagine that Masters are 
going to come down on you for your failures and wrongs, if any. Karma 
looks out for this. Masters' ethics are the highest. From the 
standpoint of your question, They do not punish. Have I not told you 
that, much as detractors have cast mud at Them, never will the Masters 
impose punishment. I cannot see why such a question comes up. Karma 
will do all the punishing that is necessary."