Answering Questions From a Russian Reader
Helena P. Blavatsky
According to Theosophy, Happiness is in Altruism
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Editorial Note:
The following questions and answer
are reproduced from “H. P. Blavatsky
Collected Writings”, T.P.H., volume XI, pp.
103-106. Original title: “Theosophical
Queries”.
We reproduce only the first part of the
questioning
letter.
H.P. Blavatsky’s answer is, of course, complete.
(CCA)
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1. Some
Questions:
The first object of the Theosophical Society being to promote the
principle of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, how can it be reconciled
with the aim that, at the same time, it presents in life to every individual
being: - the duty of developing his Higher Self, by the sacrifice of every
selfish desire, by the conquest of all material interest, for the mere purpose
of attaining a higher spiritual perfection, in order that this perfection
should transform our faith in the spiritual world into sight and knowledge, and
give us “life everlasting”.
How can one practice
altruism and philanthropy, when one devotes one’s life to the cultivation of
the inner spiritual being and the attainment of total indifference to the
physical world?
Can there be a
compromise? Can one divide one’s existence, and serve two principles at once?
(…..)
February, 1889, Barbara Moskvitinoff, Petersbourg.
2. The Answer
by H. P. Blavatsky:
The questions asked and
the difficulties propounded in the foregoing letter arise mainly from an
imperfect acquaintance with the philosophical teachings of Theosophy. They are
a most striking proof of the wisdom of those who have repeatedly urged
Theosophists to devote their energies to mastering, at least, the outlines of
the metaphysical system upon which our Ethics are based.
Now it is a fundamental doctrine of Theosophy that the “separateness”
which we feel between ourselves and the world of living beings around us is an
illusion, not a reality.
In very deed and truth, all men are one, not in a feeling of sentimental
gush and hysterical enthusiasm, but in sober earnest. As all Eastern philosophy
teaches, there is but ONE SELF in all the infinite Universe, and what we men
call “self” is but the illusionary reflection of the ONE SELF in the heaving
waters of earth.
True Occultism is the destruction of the false idea of Self, and
therefore true spiritual perfection and knowledge are nothing else but the
complete identification of our finite “selves” with the Great All. It follows,
therefore, that no spiritual progress at all is possible except by and through
the bulk of Humanity. It is only when the whole of Humanity has attained
happiness that the individual can hope to become permanently happy - for the
individual is an inseparable part of the Whole.
Hence there is no contradiction whatever between the altruistic maxims of
Theosophy and its injunction to kill out all desire for material things, to
strive after spiritual perfection. For spiritual perfection and spiritual
knowledge can only be reached on the spiritual plane; in other words, only in
that state in which all sense of separateness, all selfishness, all feeling of
personal interest and desire, has been merged in the wider consciousness of the
unity of Mankind.
This shows also that no blind submission to the commands of another can
be demanded, or would be of any use. Each individual must learn for himself,
through trial and suffering, to discriminate what is beneficial to Humanity;
and in proportion as he develops spiritually, i.e., conquers all selfishness,
his mind will open to receive the guidance of the Divine Monad within him, his
Higher Self, for which there is neither Past nor Future, but only an eternal
Now.
Again, were there no “poor”, far from the “benefits of civilization being
lost”, a state of the highest culture and civilization would be attained, of
which we cannot now form the faintest conception.
Similarly, from a conviction of the impermanence of material happiness
would result a striving after that joy which is eternal, and in which all men
can share.
Throughout the whole letter of our esteemed correspondent there runs the
tacit assumption that happiness in material, physical life is all-important;
which is untrue.
So far from being the most important, happiness in this life of matter is
of as little importance in relation to the bliss of true spiritual life as are
the few years of each human cycle on earth in proportion to the millions and
millions of years which each human being spends in the subjective spheres, during
the course of every great cycle of the activity of our globe.
With regard to faculties and talents, the answer is simple. They should
be developed and cultivated for the service of Humanity, of which we are all
parts, and to which we owe our full and ungrudging service.
(HPB)
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In September 2016, after a careful analysis of the state of the
esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students decided to form the Independent Lodge of Theosophists,
whose priorities include the building of a better future in the different
dimensions of life.
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