Theos-Talk Archives (October 2008 Message tt00268)

As we know that Blavatsky prophecy of the coming of torch-bearer in
the last quarter of 20th century proved to be false, here are some
insights in the matters.
C.W. Leadbeater recommended the course of study of Theosophy. I am
giving below the passages from the book Inner Life Vol.2 by C. W.
Leadbeater. Readers can note that he did not recommend Key to
Theosophy by H. P.Blavatsky. Also he did not recommend Isis Unveiled.
What could be the reason? Did C. W. Leadbeater know that those
writings of Blavatsky were blunders. Even his reference of the Secrete
Doctrine seems to be diplomatic necessity arisen because H. P.
Blavatsky was founder and reputation of TS depended on Blavatsky's
reputation.
Here are the passages from C.W. Leadbeater's book Inner Life II
"It seems to me of great importance to have a clear outline of the
whole scheme thoroughly in the mind before endeavouring to fill in the
details. No one can know how strong is the evidence for any one part
of the Theosophical teaching until he knows the whole of that
teaching, and sees how each separate portion is confirmed and
strengthened by the rest, and is indeed a necessary part of the scheme
as a whole. My advice, therefore, is that the beginner should read
first the elementary literature, not troubling himself unduly with
details, but seeking rather to take in and assimilate the broad ideas
contained in it, so as to see all that they imply and to realise them
as facts in nature, thereby putting himself into what may be called
the Theosophical attitude, and learning to look at everything from the
Theosophical point of view.

  To this end the student may take An Outline of Theosophy, The Riddle
of Life, Hints to Young Students of Occultism, and various lectures by
Mrs. Besant and myself which have been issued as propaganda pamphlets.
When he feels himself fairly certain of these, I should recommend next
Mrs. Besant' s Popular Lectures on Theosophy and then her Ancient
Wisdom, which will give him a clear idea of the system as a whole.
Another book which might be useful to him at this stage is Some
Glimpses of Occultism. He can then proceed to follow details along
whichever line most commends itself to him.

    If he is interested chiefly in the ethical side, the best books
are: At the Feet of the Master, Light on the Path, The Voice of the
Silence, The Path of Discipleship, In the Outer Court, The Laws of the
Higher Life, The Three Paths and Dharma, and The Bhagavad-Gita .

   One who wishes to study the life after death will find what he
wants in: The Other Side of Death, The Astral Plane, Death and After,
The Devachanic Plane .

   If he is approaching the matter from the scientific side, the
following books will suit him: Esoteric Buddhism, Nature' s Mysteries,
Scientific Corroborations of Theosophy, Occult Chemistry and The
Physics of the Secret Doctrine .

    If he cares for the study of comparative religion he should read:
Universal Text-book of Religion and Morals, Four Great Religions, The
Great Law, The Bhagavad-Gita, Hints on the Study of the Bhagavad-Gita,
The Upanishads, The Wisdom of the Upanishads, An Advanced Text-book of
Hindu Religion and Ethics, The Light of Asia, A Buddhist Catechism,
Buddhist Popular Lectures and The Religious Problem in India .

    If he thinks chiefly of the Christian presentation of these
truths, the best books are: Esoteric Christianity, The Christian
Creed, Fragments of a Faith Forgotten, The Perfect Way .

    If one wishes to investigate the origin and early history of
Christianity, in addition to the books on the subject already
mentioned, Mr. Mead' s works will specially appeal to him: Did Jesus
Live B.C. 100? The Gospel and the Gospel and the Gospel, Orpheus and
Plotinus .

   The student who is interested in applying Theosophy to the world of
modern thought, and to political and social questions, may profitably
turn to; The Changing World, Some Problems of Life, Theosophy and
Human Life, Occult Essays and Theosophy and the New Psychology.

   If, as is the case with most enquirers, his main interest centres
round the wider knowledge and the grasp of life resulting from a study
of occultism, he should read, in addition to many of the books
mentioned above: A Study in Consciousness, An Introduction to Yoga,
Clairvoyance, Dreams, Invisible Helpers, Man Visible and Invisible,
Thought-Forms, The Evolution of Life and Form, Thought-Power-- Its
Control and Culture, The Other Side of Death and the two volumes of
The Inner Life.

     It will be desirable that he should comprehend the subjects dealt
with in the manuals on Reincarnation, Karma, and Man and his Bodies.
Indeed, these should be taken at an early stage of his reading.

   The earnest student, who intends to live Theosophy, as well as
merely to study it intellectually, should also have knowledge of the
inner purpose of the Theosophical Society. He will gain this from Mrs.
Besant' s London Lectures of 1907 and The Changing World, from The
Inner Life (2 vols.), as well as from the study of Colonel Olcott' s
Old Diary Leaves, and Mr. Sinnett' s Occult World and Incidents in the
Life of Madame Blavatsky.

1046.                                                                
        I myself think that the greatest book of all, Madame
Blavatsky' s Secret Doctrine, should be left until all these others
have been thoroughly assimilated, for the man who comes to it thus
thoroughly prepared will gain from it far more than is otherwise
possible. I know that many students prefer to take it at an earlier
stage, but it seems to me more an encyclopaedia or book or reference.

   Four books which are now in preparation should be added to the
above list as soon as they appear: A Text-book of Theosophy, which
endeavours to state the Theosophical teaching in the simplest possible
form, and without technical terms; The Hidden Side of Things, which
shows how knowledge of occultism changes our view with regard to all
sorts of small practical matters in every-day life, Man; Whence, How,
Whither? which gives a detailed account of the past evolution of man,
and shows something of the future which lies before him; First
Principles of Theosophy, which is to approach the whole subject from
the scientific standpoint, and to present it from an entirely new
point of view.

The course I have indicated above means some years of hard reading for
the ordinary man, but one who has achieved it and tries to put into
practice what he has learnt will  certainly be in a position to afford
much help to his fellow-men."
Best
Anand Gholap

http://www.anandgholap.net/Inner_Life_Vol_II-CWL.htm