Theos-Talk Archives (March 2007 Message tt00048)

Should Theosophical students be 
concerned about Pseudo-Theosophy?

Well, it appears that H.P. Blavatsky herself was
concerned enough about the DISTORTION
of theosophical teachings that she issued
warnings and even corrections.

One may ask why one should be even concerned
about such alleged distortions.

Notice how Madame Blavatsky addresses this
issue:

"The great evil of the whole thing is, not that the truths of 
Theosophy are adopted by these blind teachers, for we should gladly 
welcome any spread, by whatever means, of ideals so powerful to wean 
the world from its dire materialism - but that they are so interwoven 
with mis-statements and absurdities that the wheat cannot be winnowed 
from the chaff, and ridicule, if not worse, is brought to bear 
upon. . . [the Theosophical] movement. . . ."

"How shall men discern good from evil, when they find it in its close 
embrace?"

"The very words, 'Arhat,' 'Karma,' 'Maya,' 'Nirvana,' must turn 
enquirers from our threshold when they have been taught to associate 
them with such a teeming mass of ignorance and presumption. . . ." 

"Though false coin is the best proof of the existence of genuine 
gold, yet, the false deceives the unwary. . . ." 
http://blavatskyarchives.com/onpseudotheosophy.htm#save

H.P.B. repeats this same theme elsewhere:

"?.If the 'false prophets of Theosophy' are to be left untouched, the 
true prophets will be very soon--as they have already been--confused 
with the false. It is nigh time to winnow our corn and cast away the 
chaff." 

"? We do not believe in allowing the presence of sham elements in 
Theosophy, because of the fear, forsooth, that if even 'a false 
element in the faith' is ridiculed, the latter 'is apt to shake the 
confidence' in the whole?."

"?However it may be, let rather our ranks be made thinner, than the 
Theosophical Society go on being made a spectacle to the world 
through the exaggerations of some fanatics, and the attempts of 
various charlatans to profit by a ready-made programme. These, by 
disfiguring and adapting Occultism to their own filthy and immoral 
ends, bring disgrace upon the whole movement?."
http://blavatskyarchives.com/onpseudotheosophy.htm#if

And once again HPB addresses this same issue:

". . . 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. . . . "

". . . 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." 

I draw special attention to HPB's words:

"...the truths of Theosophy... are so interwoven with mis-statements 
and absurdities that the wheat cannot be winnowed from the 
chaff. . . ."

"...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." caps added

Food for thought....

Daniel
http://hpb.cc