Theos-Talk Archives (September 2006 Message tt00468)

Thanks, Daniel,

It's so interesting to put oneself in the position of deciding the 
authenticity of such a document. The very manner of its arrival seems 
pretty conclusive, but if one is naturally skeptical by nature, even 
that might seem suspect. I haven't been following very closely the 
debate, but just see that it doesn't go away. Personally, I am not in 
any position to make a judgement, except for my own personal 
"feeling" for it. But isn't that the privilege of every student? 
Occultism is by definition mysterious. The student is continually 
thrown back on his or her own resources in analysing and examining 
any statements made, in the literature or elsewhere. If we get a 
strong personal reaction, that could be an indication that our 
intuition is telling us that the problem is in us, that a nerve has 
been struck. On the other hand, a strong reaction might mean that the 
material is not authentic. Each student has to learn to discern the 
difference, and that can be a very important lesson.

I certainly do appreciate your historical research, and your 
willingness to provide materials for the rest of us. My friend was 
delighted with the WQJ pictures, as was I.

Adelasie

On 22 Sep 2006 at 1:23, danielhcaldwell wrote:

> Reprinted from THE ECLECTIC THEOSOPHIST, 
> No. 101, September-October 1987, p. 1
> 
> =====================================================
> 
> "SERVICE TO THAT SUPREME SPIRIT ALONE..."
> 
> In 1900 a B. W. Mantri of India, wrote a letter to Annie Besant, then
> in England, dated August 22. When A.B. opened it she found on its
> back some lines in the well-known blue pencilling of the MASTER K.
> H. In the volume published in 1919 by the Theosophical Publishing
> House of Adyar this letter and the blue penciled lines are
> reproduced and are included in all subsequent reprintings. (Letter
> 46, p.99. Letters from the Masters of Wisdom, first series, 4th,
> 5th, 6th edition.) In the 1948 printing Mr. C. Jinarajadasa adds
> some historical comments and includes also some letters newly found
> and never before printed from K.H. to Laura Holloway, H.P.B., and
> Olcott.
> 
> The penciled lines from K.H. to Mrs. Besant in the 1900 letter,
> however, were never published in completeness, as ellipses dots
> indicate, the editors omitting certain lines they considered too
> private for public reading.
> 
> The following now is the complete Letter, earlier omissions being
> indicated in bold [ALL CAPS in this online edition at Theos-Talk]
> letters. The earnest student will study these omissions which in
> context reveal the Master's fuller and clear advise. The time indeed
> may be propitious for their disclosure. The first sentence evidently
> has reference to Mr. B. K. Mantri. - Ed. [W. Emmett Small, Editor of
> THE ECLECTIC THEOSOPHIST]
> 
> [------------------------]
> 
> A psychic and a pranayamist who has got confused by the vagaries of
> the members. The T.S. and its members are slowly manufacturing a
> creed. Says a Thibetan proverb "credulity breeds credulity and ends
> in hypocrisy." How few are they who can know anything about us. Are
> we to be propitiated and made idols of. IS THE WORSHIP OF A NEW
> TRINITY MADE UP OF THE BLESSED M., UPASIKA AND YOURSELF TO TAKE THE
> PLACE OF EXPLODED CREEDS. WE ASK NOT FOR THE WORSHIP OF OURSELVES.
> THE DISCIPLE SHOULD IN NO WAY BE FETTERED. BEWARE OF AN ESOTERIC
> POPERY. The intense desire to see Upasika reincarnate at once has
> raised a misleading Mayavic ideation. Upasika has useful work to
> do on higher planes and cannot come again so soon. The T.S. must
> safely be ushered into the new century. YOU HAVE FOR SOME TIME BEEN
> UNDER DELUDING INFLUENCES. SHUN PRIDE, VANITY AND LOVE OF POWER. BE
> NOT GUIDED BY EMOTION BUT LEARN TO STAND ALONE. BE ACCURATE AND
> CRITICAL RATHER THAN CREDULOUS. THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST IN THE OLD
> RELIGIONS MUST NOT BE GLOSSED OVER WITH IMAGINARY EXPLANATIONS. THE
> E.S.T. MUST BE REFORMED SO AS TO BE AS UNSECTARIAN AND CREEDLESS AS
> THE T.S. THE RULES MUST BE FEW AND SIMPLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO ALL. No
> one has the right to claim authority over a pupil or his conscience.
> Ask him not what he believes. ALL WHO ARE SINCERE AND PURE
> MINDED MUST HAVE ADMITTANCE. The crest wave of intellectual
> advancement must be taken hold of and guided into spirituality. It
> cannot be forced into beliefs and emotional worship. The essence of
> the higher thoughts of the members in their collectivity must guide
> all action in the T.S. and E.S. We never try to subject to ourselves
> the will of another. At favourable times we let loose elevating
> influences which strike various persons in various ways. It is the
> collective aspect of many such thoughts that can give the correct
> note of action. We show no favours. The best corrective of error is
> an honest and open-minded examination of all facts subjective and
> objective. MISLEADING SECRECY HAS GIVEN THE DEATH BLOW TO NUMEROUS
> ORGANIZATIONS. The cant about "Masters" must be silently but
> firmly put down. Let the devotion and service be to that Supreme
> Spirit alone of which each [1] one is a part. Namelessly and
> silently we work and the continual references to ourselves and the
> repetition of our names raises up a confused aura that hinders our
> work. YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAVE A GOOD DEAL OF YOUR EMOTIONS AND
> CREDULITY BEFORE YOU BECOME A SAFE GUIDE AMONG THE INFLUENCES THAT
> WILL COMMENCE TO WORK IN THE NEW CYCLE. The T.S. was meant to be the
> corner-stone of the future religions of humanity. To accomplish this
> object those who lead must leave aside their weak predilections for
> the forms and ceremonies of any particular creed and show themselves
> to be true Theosophists both in inner thoughts and outward
> observance. The greatest of your trials is yet to come. We watch
> over you but you must put forth all your strength.
> 
> K.H.
> 
> ================================================================
> [1] In THE ECLECTIC THEOSOPHIST transcription of this letter, the
> word "each" is omitted but the original letter has this word. See
> the photofacsimile of the actual letter below.
> 
> "Facsimile of 1900 KH Letter to Mrs. Annie Besant" can be viewed at:
> 
> http://blavatskyarchives.com/kh1900p1.htm
> 
> Daniel
> http://hpb.cc