Selected from the Writings of
Robert Crosbie and William
Judge
Carlos Cardoso Aveline (Ed.)
Carlos Cardoso Aveline (Ed.)
The
Himalayas, in a painting by Nicholas Roerich
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The present selection was
first published at “The
Aquarian
Theosophist” magazine, in November
2005,
with no indication as to the
name of the editor.
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1. HPB, a Mirror for Students
If we would look at the bodily H.P.B. as a mirror which reflected from
above and from below as well, giving back to each who confronted it his own
reflection according to his nature and power to perceive, we might get a better
understanding of her nature. To the discriminative, it was a well of
inspiration; in it the commonplace, the Judas, the critic, and every other saw
himself reflected. Mighty few caught a glimpse of the real individuality. Each
got the evidence that he sought. We have the Master’s words that the body of
H.P.B. was the best that they had been able to obtain for many centuries. Those
who looked at the body and its human characteristics got what the view was
capable of giving them; those who looked at the mind behind got what came from it, in the degree of their
comprehension; those who were able to look into the causes of things saw what
their depths of sight gave them - more or less of Truth. “By their fruits,
shall ye know them”.
[Robert Crosbie, in “The Friendly Philosopher”, The Theosophy Co., Los
Angeles, 1945, see p. 150.]
2. Wanting to be a Disciple
W. Judge:
The effect of a desire to become a chela
in the next incarnation will be to place one where the desire may be
probably realized. Its effect on the next condition and environment depends on
so many things that no definite reply could be
given. If the desire be held determinedly and unceasingly, the goal is
brought nearer, but that also brings up all karma of the past, thus
precipitating an immense conflict on the individual: a conflict which when once
begun has only two ways of ending, one, total defeat, the other, success; there
is no other way. As Dante wrote, “Who
enters here leaves hope behind.” Therefore, in general, the next life, or
rather the life of a chela, while full of noble possibilities, is a constant
battle from beginning to end. As to times and periods, it is said in the East
that when the probationary chela steps on the path he will reach a goal in
seven births hereafter.
[William Q. Judge, in “‘Forum’ Answers”, The Theosophy Co., Los Angeles,
1982, see pp. 8-9.]
3. Mahatmas See Every Pure
Heart
R. Crosbie:
And let me say here to you: do not be too anxious; abide the time when
your own inner demands shall open the doors, for those Great Ones who I know
exist see every pure-hearted earnest disciple , and are ready to give a turn to the key of knowledge when
the time in the disciple’s progress is ripe. No one who strives to tread the path is left unhelped; the Great Ones see
his “light”, and he is given what is needed for his better development. That
light is not mere poetical imagery; but is actual, and its character denotes
one’s spiritual condition; there are no veils in that plane of seeing. The help
must be of that nature which leaves perfect freedom of thought and action;
otherwise, the lessons would not be learned. Mistakes will occur, perhaps many
of them, but, as is said, “twenty failures are not irremediable if followed by
as many undaunted struggles upwards”.
[in “The Friendly Philosopher”, 1945, see pp. 7-8.]
4. Masters Help Truth Seekers
W. Judge:
[The Masters] have also stated that they do not make themselves
objectively known to believers in them except in those cases where those
believers are ready in all parts of their nature, are definitely pledged to
them, with the full understanding of the meaning of the pledge. But they have also stated that they help all
earnest seekers after truth, and that it is not necessary for those seekers to
know from where the help comes so long
as it is received. (...) Personally I know that the Masters do help powerfully,
though unseen, all those who earnestly work and sincerely trust in their higher
nature, while they follow the voice of
conscience without cavil or delay.
[ in “‘Forum’ Answers”, 1982, pp. 75-76]
5. Meditation, a Tool Along
the Way
R. Crosbie:
Meditation as used by us, is what is called in Sanscrit Dhyana, i.e., want of motion, and
one-pointedness. The main point is to free the mind from the power of the
senses, and to raise a current of thought to the exclusion of all others. “Realization
comes from dwelling on the thing to be realized”. W. Q. Judge says:
“To meditate on the Higher Self is difficult; seek then, the Bridge, the Masters. The patient dwelling of the mind on a single thought results in
the gaining of wisdom, and it is thus that the true Occultist is developed.
Aspiration toward the Higher Self should form part of the daily meditation; the
rising toward the higher planes of our being, which cannot be found unless they are sought. Earnest and reverent desire for Master’s guidance and
enlightenment will begin the attunement of the nature to the harmony to which it must one day respond.
Concentration on a single point in the Teaching is a road to the philosophy ;
self-examination, a road to knowledge of oneself. To put oneself in the place of another, to realize his
difficulties, and thus be able to help him, is
that faculty - which when extended makes it possible for the Adept to understand
the nature of the stone or other form of consciousness.”
Meditation is a good beneficent practice leading to a great end. It is
also a great destroyer of the personal idea.
[ in “The Friendly Philosopher”, 1945, p. 93.]
6. We Are All Warriors, as
Arjuna
W. Judge:
Arjuna is man or the soul struggling to the light, and while Krishna was
one of the Avatars or manifestations of God among men, he is also the Higher
Self. Arjuna as man in this world of sense and matter is of necessity either
always in a battle or about to begin one, and is also ever in need of advice.
This he can get only in a valuable way from his Higher Self. (...) Arjuna is the man in the life his Karma has
produced, and he must fight out the battle he himself invited. Arjuna’s object was to regain a kingdom, and so each one of us may know that our fight
is for a kingdom gainable only by individual effort and not by anyone’s favour.
[ in “The Heart Doctrine”, The Theosophy Co., India, 1977, pp. 49-50. ]
7. True Theosophists Will
Prevail
R. Crosbie:
We need to bring again and again to the attention of all discouraged and
bewildered Theosophists what H.P.B. wrote to Judge in 1888:
“Night before last I was shown a bird’s eye view of the Theosophical
Societies. I saw a few earnest, reliable Theosophists in a death-struggle with
the world in general, and with other - nominal but ambitious - Theosophists.
The former are greater in number than you may think, and they prevailed, as you in America will prevail, if only you remain
staunch to the Master’s programme and true to yourselves.”
[ in “The Friendly Philosopher”, 1945, p. 389 ]
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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.
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