Each Student Has
to Do His Own
Homework, So to
Say, and Learn His Lessons
Steven H. Levy
Steven H. Levy
In her article “Practical
Occultism” H. P. Blavatsky begins by distinguishing between theoretical and
practical occultism, and what it takes to become a Theosophist, versus an
occultist.
Whereas it is necessary to develop the heart qualities
to become a Theosophist, a practical occultist has to fully develop the
spiritual faculties of true clairvoyance, will and intuition. The latter
qualities endow the individual with three powers, natural in the mind united to
the spiritual soul.
The first higher psychic power is the ability to see
and know what is good to do. The word “good” as used here goes beyond the
normal meaning of good intentions, the altruistic desire to help another, or
all relative value judgments. It is full knowledge of the consequences of
action to the individual in all departments of their nature, as well as the
effect such action will have on others, now and in the future. It is knowledge
of the karma of many lives that have led to the present circumstance with all
its apparent obstacles and difficulties.
The second higher psychic power is the right
discrimination between good and evil. It includes all the abilities of the
previously mentioned power, plus the ability to know what is pleasing to and
needed by the Soul. All evil is the result of ignorance. As each human being is
the partial and temporary vehicle of an individual spiritual monad pursuing its
own evolution over many lifetimes, it is necessary to know what spiritual
lessons have been learned or not by the monad, in order to truly know what is
good or evil for another.
The third higher psychic power is the ability to do
that good, without apparently lifting a finger. This ability requires the full
use of meditation, concentration, and will, plus a knowledge of the occult laws
and chemistry of nature.
Occult chemistry refers to the hidden sympathies,
interactions, and correspondences between the beings in every visible and
invisible department of nature, as well as their interaction with the nature of
the occultist. All human beings are inherently and potentially creative forces
in nature; however, the occultist, thoroughly uniting thought and will, thinks
what is willed and wills to create whatever is thought.
Thus, it is clear why a teacher of the Sacred Sciences
assumes an enormous responsibility for the regular disciple, whose sins of
commission and omission present a real danger to him whenever he begins to
really teach the pupil. The teachers take upon themselves the responsibility
for the errors of their accepted and proven, but not fully initiated,
disciples.
What does this have to do then with those who aspire
to be true Theosophists? As soon as students decide to take a step on the path
of spiritual self-development by cultivating the heart qualities, they are
preparing themselves to pursue the highest path of discipleship in this or some
future life. A rent in the veil of silence and secrecy of the sanctuaries for
ages was made when H.P.B. published “The Secret Doctrine”. On the dedication
page she writes:
“This Work I Dedicate to all True Theosophists, In
every Country, And of every Race, for they called it forth, and for them it was
recorded.”
It is no small matter to deprive True Theosophists,
regardless of their race, creed, sex, condition, or theosophical affiliation,
access to the genuine doctrines of the Occult Philosophy, consciously or
unconsciously, with good or evil intentions, by acts of commission or omission.
From those to whom much is given, much is expected.
Every true Theosophist shares in the responsibility of calling forth publicly
this knowledge and in different degrees shares the karma of its misuse, misrepresentation,
and misinterpretation. Not everyone can be a practical occultist. However,
anyone can compassionately and impersonally correct the misunderstanding and
misdirection of the teachings by others. If not by actually promulgating the
teachings themselves, they can at least point to where those pure teachings can
be found. Assuming responsibility for the promulgation of the Teachings, to the
best one is able, as if its presence and influence in the world personally
depended in part on one’s individual action, is a key component in
Self-development.
As H.P.B. writes in “Practical
Occultism”:
“But it is quite another matter to put oneself upon
the path which leads to the knowledge of what is good to do, as to the right
discrimination of good from evil; a path which also leads a man to that power
through which he can do the good he desires, often without even apparently
lifting a finger.”
And she added:
“Moreover, there is one important fact with which the
student should be made acquainted. Namely, the enormous, almost limitless,
responsibility assumed by the teacher for the sake of the pupil. From the Gurus
of the East who teach openly or secretly, down to the few Kabalists in Western
lands who undertake to teach the rudiments of the Sacred Science to their
disciples - those western Hierophants being often themselves ignorant of the
danger they incur - one and all of these ‘Teachers’ are subject to the same
inviolable law. From the moment they begin really
to teach, from the instant they confer any
power - whether psychic, mental or physical - on their pupils, they take upon
themselves all the sins of that
pupil, in connection with the Occult Sciences, whether of omission or
commission, until the moment when initiation makes the pupil a Master and responsible
in his turn. (…) Thus it is clear why the ‘Teachers’ are so reticent, and why ‘Chelas’
are required to serve a seven years’ probation to prove their fitness, and
develop the qualities necessary to the security of both Master and pupil.” [1]
While the above passage is obviously emphasizing the
responsibility and risks assumed by the Masters for their accepted disciples,
these words in no way imply that the disciple is not also responsible. They do
not interfere with the actions of a disciple, as disciples are permitted to act
autonomously until the end of their regular discipleship.
The conditions of this special relationship do not
apply to those who affiliate themselves with the theosophical movement or
aspire to one day be an accepted disciple.
The Masters may be Founders of the theosophical movement
and work behind the scenes and in public to further the fulfillment its
objects. Nevertheless, they do not assume the karma of individual theosophists,
lead us by the hand in our evolution, or vicariously atone for our mistakes.
Each of us has to do his or her own homework, so to speak, and learn his own
lessons.
NOTE:
[1] “Practical Occultism”. The
article is included in the three-volume compilation entitled “Theosophical
Articles”, by H. P. Blavatsky, Theosophy Co., Los Angeles, 1981. See volume II, pp. 91-92.
000
The above text was
first published at the July 2014 edition of “The Aquarian Theosophist”.
000
On the role of the esoteric movement in
the ethical awakening of mankind during the 21st century, see the book “The Fire and Light of Theosophical
Literature”, by Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
Published in
2013 by The Aquarian Theosophist,
the volume has 255 pages and can be obtained through Amazon Books.
000
