An Authentic Knowledge
Invites Us to Reinvent
Life Every Day
Carlos Cardoso
Aveline
The teachings of
esoteric philosophy were transmitted in the last quarter of the 19th century by
Helena P. Blavatsky and those who directly collaborated with her. Soon after
HPB’s death, which occurred in 1891, the distortion of the original teachings
began.
Plagiarism and forgery spread through false clairvoyance
and imaginary talks with Masters. The “teachings” resulting from such illusions
may have a pretentious language, but their superficiality is remarkable. Although
the task of identifying and rejecting pseudo-theosophy is in itself relatively
difficult, it is not enough. Other challenges must be confronted in the 21st
century.
It is not just through good-willing frauds that
delusion threatens, and weakens, the theosophical movement. A blind attachment
to the words written by Helena P. Blavatsky offers no guarantee along the path,
and produces a sort of mental paralysis. Parrots may repeat valuable sentences,
but they lack understanding. One’s relation to the original teachings must be a
living, questioning process. It is precisely because the students of classical
theosophy work with the authentic teaching, that they are not attached to dead
letter. The goal of real esoteric philosophy includes preserving the original writings;
it does not consist in teaching people how to mechanically repeat what H. P.
Blavatsky wrote.
Theosophists know that there are no boundaries in human
thought or in the esoteric movement.
Although they take as their reference the works of H. P. Blavatsky, this
is not the only field of their attention.
Her books are a key to the
right understanding of universal literature and to the study of contemporary
reality. Theosophy enables people to understand present facts and to build a
better future.
Every well-informed theosophist follows the example
given by Terence, the ancient thinker, and says:
“Nothing human is foreign to me.”
Although there are contrasts and differences, no
separation exists. After adopting a correct and ethical point of view, the
student of philosophy must look at all things and learn from them.
Spiritual discernment expresses itself in the ability
to take lessons from one’s own mistakes, and from the mistakes of others. Original
theosophy rejects the fruits of false clairvoyance and leaves aside attachment
to ceremonies, rituals, “esoteric bureaucracies” and other forms of illusion.
This is inevitable once the mistakes are duly identified and documented. [1]
If someone wants to learn esoteric philosophy, he must
choose reliable sources. When a method of teaching is effective, it is also
transparent. Students must be able to discuss the pedagogical process. The
independence of the individual is then respected and stimulated.
Teachers who hide their methods easily get to the
point of selling their supposed knowledge for money. This is a subtle form of stealing, for true
knowledge is universal and belongs to all. Could someone sell the common air we
all breathe? Experience shows that those
who do not practice pedagogical transparence are not reliable.
Classical teachings deserve to be approached in their
spirit and not merely in their outer garment. The right examination of the
authentic wording leads one to the inner meaning. A deep knowledge invites us to reinvent life
every day, under the light of eternal truth.
HPB said:
“..Once that a student abandons the old and trodden
highway of routine, and enters upon the solitary path of independent thought -
Godward - he is a Theosophist; an original thinker, a seeker after the eternal
truth with ‘an inspiration of his own’ to solve the universal problems. With
every man that is earnestly searching in his own way after a knowledge of the
Divine Principle, of man’s relations to it, and nature’s manifestations of it,
Theosophy is allied.” [2]
The student must use the classical wording as a key to
“open” the true lessons. A Mahatma of the Himalayas wrote:
“The Occult Science is not one, in which
secrets can be communicated of a sudden, by a written or even verbal
communication. If so, all the ‘Brothers’ should have to do, would be to publish
a Hand-book of the art which might be taught in schools as grammar is.
It is the common mistake of people that we willingly wrap ourselves and our
powers in mystery - that we wish to keep our knowledge to ourselves, and of our
own will refuse - ‘wantonly and deliberately’ to communicate it. The truth is
that till the neophyte attains to the condition necessary for that degree of
Illumination to which, and for which, he is entitled and fitted, most if not
all of the Secrets are incommunicable. The receptivity must be equal
to the desire to instruct. The illumination must come from within. Till
then no hocus pocus of incantations, or mummery of appliances, no metaphysical
lectures or discussions, no self-imposed penance can give it. All these are but
means to an end, and all we can do is to direct the use of such means as have
been empirically found by the experience of ages to conduce to the required
object. And this was and has been no secret for thousands of years.” [3]
Full attention is needed at
all times, for the teachings transcend words. One of the Masters wrote to a
disciple:
“Learn, child, to catch
a hint through whatever agency it may be given. ‘Sermons may be preached
even through stones’.” [4]
The best lessons are those
which come from one’s heart. The center of peace in our conscience is
impersonal, silent, and universal. Mutual help among independent students
stimulates true learning.
NOTES:
[1] Read the book “The Fire and Light of Theosophical
Literature”, Carlos Cardoso Aveline, The Aquarian, 255 pp., 2013.
[2] “What Are the Theosophists?”, by H. P. Blavatsky, an
article in “The Theosophist”, October 1879.
[3] “The Mahatma Letters”, TUP
edition, Pasadena, Letter XLIX, pp. 282-283. In the Chronological Edition, see
letter 20.
[4] “Letters from the Masters of the
Wisdom”, Transcribed and Compiled by C. Jinarajadasa, 1973, The Theosophical
Publishing House, India, First Series, Letter II to Laura C. Holloway, p. 150.
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On the Pedagogy of
Esoteric Philosophy, see these articles in our associated websites: “The Power of Good Will”; “The Experimental Path”; “The
Pedagogy of Confidence”; “How to Find the Master”; “The Pedagogy of Theosophical Wisdom”; “The Art of Studying Theosophy”; “What
Is Theosophy?”; “Confidence in
Masters”; and “On Contacts With Masters”.
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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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