Re: The Esoteric Papers of Madame Blavatsky, by H. P. Blavat
Posted: Tue May 15, 2018 4:19 am
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ESOTERIC SECTION T.S. BY J.D. BUCK (FACSIMILE OF OCTOBER 1889 ORIGINAL)
To the Members of the
ESOTERIC SECTION, T.S.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS:-
Permit a brother who has been for many years an humble seeker of the Perfect Way, and who tries to serve the Perfect Law, to commune with you. He seeks not to instruct you, for that is the prerogative of your Hither Self. Possibly he may help to clear away some of the rubbish that hinders your feet and clogs your pathway. If he can do this even but little, he will thereby serve the Perfect Law.
In the Esoteric Section we are to not only learn the things that are, but we are to become the thing that fails not. We are given an opportunity to learn, to work, and to become.
All real progress is a symmetrical unfolding from within, accompanied by an adjustment without. Curiosity is inseparable from bewilderment, and leads inevitably to distrust and to discouragement, and finally to disgust and despair. Even desire for knowledge and personal progress, so commendable in the ordinary and lower planes of life, will not do here, for the reason that it will lead you to expect great things of your teacher, whereas you should be doing those very things yourself. This error is far more fatal than at first appears, for it leads to criticism of the teacher, and often to distrust and finally to disaster. Take what comes, and see how much can be made of it.
It is impossible that every member should understand and assimilate at once all the teaching. It is all there, but each must take what he can see and hold, and the measure of each for a day is just so much as he can apply and use, -- no more. If he fail to use, the measure is clogged, and, by an occult and just law, the supply ceases.
All this concerns your own personality and progress. If you will analyze it carefully, you will see that progress lies only away from personality. There is not one law for you and another for the Teacher. All are under the same law. She, like you, must impart as she has received; measure for measure; law for law. "I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it," is the law of the "Widow's Son" always.
Those willing and anxious to be our "enemies on the other side of the river" have fiercely assailed our teacher. They see only her personality, but they feel blindly the truth that blinds and binds where it cannot liberate and enlighten. They think that by bringing her into discredit and disgrace they will prevent the truth from appearing. They are unaware of their own motive because blinded by self-interest. If you touch their purse or their profits, or the creed or scheme under which they work, they hang their banners on the outer wall, and the sound of war is heard in their streets.
Try to imagine one the center of an angry mob bent on his destruction. They are deaf to every appeal; they drown his voice by their cries of vengeance, -- human beings, yet tigers, thirsting for blood. Imagine a human being thus at bay: his soul like a mirror; a focus for every surging wave of passion and every impulse of murder. "Away With him!" "Crucify him!" "Kill him!" Read the story of Hypatia, torn limb from limb by howling demons in the garb of priests, stifling humanity, and profaning at every breath the name of Christ. For fourteen years H. P. Blavatsky, a nervous, sensitive woman, has been the center toward which have poured from every direction these waves of hatred, of misrepresentation, of slander, and of ridicule. From churchman and scientist hatred and ridicule alike, and now from spiritualists the most unreasoning blind hatred from any. Have any of these answered her arguments or disproved her propositions? No, they have simply abused her.
The pledge of the Esoteric Section is not to her: it is to and by your Higher Self. Allegiance to Truth and thy Higher Self. Look at her own record, and at the work she has done. Without variableness or shadow of turning she has held to her one purpose. No abuse or ridicule or self interest, neither fear nor favor, has swerved her one iota from her mission. She has held her banner high till every nation and half the "civilized" world have been compelled to listen.
And now, my Brother, my Sister, WHAT SEEK YE? If thou hast an ear for slander and abuse, for low blackguarding and ridicule, thou mayest surfeit thyself till thou turnest like a dog from its vomit, and the name of H. P. Blavatsky will furnish among the like-minded both the text and the commentary. Of charges and accusations, and of personal opinions, reviews, and gossip there is no end. Of proof and fact, nothing. Annie Besant, one of the noblest and most deservedly popular women in England, read the Hodgson Report to see the worst that could be said of H. P. B., and went the next day quietly and joined the T. S. Judge H. P. B. by herself and by her work; and judge her enemies by themselves and by their own work, if judge ye must, and if ye are wise. Justice will not be at fault. Admit, for the sake of the argument, all her worst enemies have ever said of her, and I would rather it were true of myself than to have been the author of Coleman's letters. Prove to me that she, like Saturn, devours her own children as soon as they are born, and it cannot have the least effect on any truth she has given out.
Why these references to H. P. B.? Surely not for her sake, but for thine own, my Brother. If distrust linger yet in thy soul; if thou hast an ear for slander against her, she cannot be thy teacher, not even if she wills. Thou Wilt only be her criticizer, and at thy first disappointment turn against her and repudiate her teachings. Have faith in Truth and in thine own soul, and H. P. B. will never disappoint thee. Take whatever thou findest good and true and beneficent, and let all else remain. Whether her personality be good or bad need not concern thee. If thou seek the Masters, and they approve the messenger, what folly for thee to criticize and condemn her. If thou believest not that she is their messenger, of what folly art thou guilty to look for messages through her from them.
It will be well for us of the E. S. to settle, once for all, our relation to our Teacher, utterly regardless of what others may think or say, and this for our own sake, not for hers. Her individuality is utterly indifferent to either praise or blame. Her personality is that of a sensitive, nervous woman. The first is Divine: the second human. The first is beyond the reach of the mob; the second is as bruised flesh thrown to dogs, and like dogs may her enemies rend it in pieces. If you seek her knowledge and power, learn by her example. She is true to Truth, and will be true to thee so long as thou art true to thy Higher Self. I care not what others may think. or say, or do. As for me and my house, we will seek the Perfect Way and serve the Perfect Law.
-----------
Since the above was written a member of the Esoteric Section, and one honored as a member of the Council, has resigned therefrom, as was certainly his privilege. In the face of the recent venomous attacks on H. P. B., designed as the most certain and speedy way of bringing the whole Theosophical movement into disgrace and ridicule, our Brother sees but one danger to the T. S., viz: that professed Theosophists should think of her too highly. When our enemies are concerned lest they be unable to paint H. P. B. black enough to suit their personal ends, and our professed friends are concerned lest the admirers of H. P. B. shall place her in too high regard, it must seem to lookers-on that both foes and friends are working toward the same end. If the shadows are sufficiently darkened and the high-lights sufficiently toned down, the blackness of darkness may be supposed to reign triumphant.
Everyone in the T. S. must be at liberty to measure his own regard for H. P. B. in his own way. Those who, like Mr. Judge, appreciate her labors and work with her intelligently and faithfully for the plainly-declared objects of the T. S. without quibbling over personalities, have often been accused of worshipping H. P. B. Such have been called "sucking doves," and "dogs with the Blavatsky collar around their necks." These are supposed to be unanswerable "arguments" against Theosophy, and they seem to work effectually with many timid souls both in and out of the T. S. The pioneers in the world's great religions have never yet been either blackguarded or bullied out of their convictions, or been restrained from the work they felt called upon to do by such "arguments." For one, I know what it is to worship Truth. If any fail to distinguish between the worship of Truth and straightforward loyalty to its best advocates, and the worship of those advocates to the forgetting of Truth, that is their concern, not mine: The soldier who in the heat of battle in the enemy's country gives comfort to the enemy through fear that his general will be placed too high, cannot be distinguished from the enemy; for to cripple the general is to strengthen the foe. Current events conclusively prove that they are few indeed who can see beyond persons to principles, or who can distinguish truth from opinion. Already one-half the "fighting force" of the T. S. has been frittered away by these personalities, and the common enemy points with scorn and contempt to these things as evidence of how these Brothers love one another. This seems to be the burden of Karma that the Society must bear. By all means, my Brothers, my Sisters, let us measure our regard for H. P. Blavatsky to the last poor scruple, with the distinct understanding that the one unpardonable sin is to err on the side of generosity! Better a thousand times join her detractors and defamers than to give her one scruple more than in our opinion she deserves! It is ever thus that the enemy would draw our fire and lead us into ambush. These are but the "trials of chelas." How many will "stand in the great day"? The "Theosophical Society" is not Theosophy. Count the hard labor, the trials of disease and poverty, the slanders, hatred, and abuse borne unflinchingly by H. P. Blavatsky for the past fourteen years; count her written works, Isis Unveiled, The Secret Doctrine, The Key to Theosophy, Lucifer, The Theosophist, articles in The Path and the French journals, to say nothing of thousands of letters to inquirers; count her efforts in the E.S. to give to any who desire more definite data of still deeper truth; look at this one woman standing fearlessly the focus of the hatred and detraction of half a world of stonyhearted materialists and bigots, and be very careful that in estimating her work we do not err as does the vulgar crowd in accepting the verdict of "society," or as her enemies do who slander and abuse her. It is better to be generous than, by raising an unreal issue of "no popery," to do injustice. Neither let a false "independence" cause us to decry her supremacy in her own field, while at the same time we are accepting from her open hands the fire of Truth, the Light that leads us to the immortal. Those who take the course of opposing a fancied Blavatsky autocracy have the liberty of continuing therein, but there are rocks and shoals in the way and they have no chart to guide them. We are preparing now for grander deeds in a future cycle. Let us make no mistake. Let us not shut the door just opened, but, sinking all personalities, proceed with the glorious work but now begun.
"H. P. B." is ready and waiting for us to go on with the Section. HOW LONG SHALL SHE WAIT?
J.D. Buck
October 17, 1889.
To the Members of the
ESOTERIC SECTION, T.S.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS:-
Permit a brother who has been for many years an humble seeker of the Perfect Way, and who tries to serve the Perfect Law, to commune with you. He seeks not to instruct you, for that is the prerogative of your Hither Self. Possibly he may help to clear away some of the rubbish that hinders your feet and clogs your pathway. If he can do this even but little, he will thereby serve the Perfect Law.
In the Esoteric Section we are to not only learn the things that are, but we are to become the thing that fails not. We are given an opportunity to learn, to work, and to become.
All real progress is a symmetrical unfolding from within, accompanied by an adjustment without. Curiosity is inseparable from bewilderment, and leads inevitably to distrust and to discouragement, and finally to disgust and despair. Even desire for knowledge and personal progress, so commendable in the ordinary and lower planes of life, will not do here, for the reason that it will lead you to expect great things of your teacher, whereas you should be doing those very things yourself. This error is far more fatal than at first appears, for it leads to criticism of the teacher, and often to distrust and finally to disaster. Take what comes, and see how much can be made of it.
It is impossible that every member should understand and assimilate at once all the teaching. It is all there, but each must take what he can see and hold, and the measure of each for a day is just so much as he can apply and use, -- no more. If he fail to use, the measure is clogged, and, by an occult and just law, the supply ceases.
All this concerns your own personality and progress. If you will analyze it carefully, you will see that progress lies only away from personality. There is not one law for you and another for the Teacher. All are under the same law. She, like you, must impart as she has received; measure for measure; law for law. "I did not so receive it, neither can I so impart it," is the law of the "Widow's Son" always.
Those willing and anxious to be our "enemies on the other side of the river" have fiercely assailed our teacher. They see only her personality, but they feel blindly the truth that blinds and binds where it cannot liberate and enlighten. They think that by bringing her into discredit and disgrace they will prevent the truth from appearing. They are unaware of their own motive because blinded by self-interest. If you touch their purse or their profits, or the creed or scheme under which they work, they hang their banners on the outer wall, and the sound of war is heard in their streets.
Try to imagine one the center of an angry mob bent on his destruction. They are deaf to every appeal; they drown his voice by their cries of vengeance, -- human beings, yet tigers, thirsting for blood. Imagine a human being thus at bay: his soul like a mirror; a focus for every surging wave of passion and every impulse of murder. "Away With him!" "Crucify him!" "Kill him!" Read the story of Hypatia, torn limb from limb by howling demons in the garb of priests, stifling humanity, and profaning at every breath the name of Christ. For fourteen years H. P. Blavatsky, a nervous, sensitive woman, has been the center toward which have poured from every direction these waves of hatred, of misrepresentation, of slander, and of ridicule. From churchman and scientist hatred and ridicule alike, and now from spiritualists the most unreasoning blind hatred from any. Have any of these answered her arguments or disproved her propositions? No, they have simply abused her.
The pledge of the Esoteric Section is not to her: it is to and by your Higher Self. Allegiance to Truth and thy Higher Self. Look at her own record, and at the work she has done. Without variableness or shadow of turning she has held to her one purpose. No abuse or ridicule or self interest, neither fear nor favor, has swerved her one iota from her mission. She has held her banner high till every nation and half the "civilized" world have been compelled to listen.
And now, my Brother, my Sister, WHAT SEEK YE? If thou hast an ear for slander and abuse, for low blackguarding and ridicule, thou mayest surfeit thyself till thou turnest like a dog from its vomit, and the name of H. P. Blavatsky will furnish among the like-minded both the text and the commentary. Of charges and accusations, and of personal opinions, reviews, and gossip there is no end. Of proof and fact, nothing. Annie Besant, one of the noblest and most deservedly popular women in England, read the Hodgson Report to see the worst that could be said of H. P. B., and went the next day quietly and joined the T. S. Judge H. P. B. by herself and by her work; and judge her enemies by themselves and by their own work, if judge ye must, and if ye are wise. Justice will not be at fault. Admit, for the sake of the argument, all her worst enemies have ever said of her, and I would rather it were true of myself than to have been the author of Coleman's letters. Prove to me that she, like Saturn, devours her own children as soon as they are born, and it cannot have the least effect on any truth she has given out.
Why these references to H. P. B.? Surely not for her sake, but for thine own, my Brother. If distrust linger yet in thy soul; if thou hast an ear for slander against her, she cannot be thy teacher, not even if she wills. Thou Wilt only be her criticizer, and at thy first disappointment turn against her and repudiate her teachings. Have faith in Truth and in thine own soul, and H. P. B. will never disappoint thee. Take whatever thou findest good and true and beneficent, and let all else remain. Whether her personality be good or bad need not concern thee. If thou seek the Masters, and they approve the messenger, what folly for thee to criticize and condemn her. If thou believest not that she is their messenger, of what folly art thou guilty to look for messages through her from them.
It will be well for us of the E. S. to settle, once for all, our relation to our Teacher, utterly regardless of what others may think or say, and this for our own sake, not for hers. Her individuality is utterly indifferent to either praise or blame. Her personality is that of a sensitive, nervous woman. The first is Divine: the second human. The first is beyond the reach of the mob; the second is as bruised flesh thrown to dogs, and like dogs may her enemies rend it in pieces. If you seek her knowledge and power, learn by her example. She is true to Truth, and will be true to thee so long as thou art true to thy Higher Self. I care not what others may think. or say, or do. As for me and my house, we will seek the Perfect Way and serve the Perfect Law.
-----------
Since the above was written a member of the Esoteric Section, and one honored as a member of the Council, has resigned therefrom, as was certainly his privilege. In the face of the recent venomous attacks on H. P. B., designed as the most certain and speedy way of bringing the whole Theosophical movement into disgrace and ridicule, our Brother sees but one danger to the T. S., viz: that professed Theosophists should think of her too highly. When our enemies are concerned lest they be unable to paint H. P. B. black enough to suit their personal ends, and our professed friends are concerned lest the admirers of H. P. B. shall place her in too high regard, it must seem to lookers-on that both foes and friends are working toward the same end. If the shadows are sufficiently darkened and the high-lights sufficiently toned down, the blackness of darkness may be supposed to reign triumphant.
"Alas! what shadows we are;
What shadows we pursue."
Everyone in the T. S. must be at liberty to measure his own regard for H. P. B. in his own way. Those who, like Mr. Judge, appreciate her labors and work with her intelligently and faithfully for the plainly-declared objects of the T. S. without quibbling over personalities, have often been accused of worshipping H. P. B. Such have been called "sucking doves," and "dogs with the Blavatsky collar around their necks." These are supposed to be unanswerable "arguments" against Theosophy, and they seem to work effectually with many timid souls both in and out of the T. S. The pioneers in the world's great religions have never yet been either blackguarded or bullied out of their convictions, or been restrained from the work they felt called upon to do by such "arguments." For one, I know what it is to worship Truth. If any fail to distinguish between the worship of Truth and straightforward loyalty to its best advocates, and the worship of those advocates to the forgetting of Truth, that is their concern, not mine: The soldier who in the heat of battle in the enemy's country gives comfort to the enemy through fear that his general will be placed too high, cannot be distinguished from the enemy; for to cripple the general is to strengthen the foe. Current events conclusively prove that they are few indeed who can see beyond persons to principles, or who can distinguish truth from opinion. Already one-half the "fighting force" of the T. S. has been frittered away by these personalities, and the common enemy points with scorn and contempt to these things as evidence of how these Brothers love one another. This seems to be the burden of Karma that the Society must bear. By all means, my Brothers, my Sisters, let us measure our regard for H. P. Blavatsky to the last poor scruple, with the distinct understanding that the one unpardonable sin is to err on the side of generosity! Better a thousand times join her detractors and defamers than to give her one scruple more than in our opinion she deserves! It is ever thus that the enemy would draw our fire and lead us into ambush. These are but the "trials of chelas." How many will "stand in the great day"? The "Theosophical Society" is not Theosophy. Count the hard labor, the trials of disease and poverty, the slanders, hatred, and abuse borne unflinchingly by H. P. Blavatsky for the past fourteen years; count her written works, Isis Unveiled, The Secret Doctrine, The Key to Theosophy, Lucifer, The Theosophist, articles in The Path and the French journals, to say nothing of thousands of letters to inquirers; count her efforts in the E.S. to give to any who desire more definite data of still deeper truth; look at this one woman standing fearlessly the focus of the hatred and detraction of half a world of stonyhearted materialists and bigots, and be very careful that in estimating her work we do not err as does the vulgar crowd in accepting the verdict of "society," or as her enemies do who slander and abuse her. It is better to be generous than, by raising an unreal issue of "no popery," to do injustice. Neither let a false "independence" cause us to decry her supremacy in her own field, while at the same time we are accepting from her open hands the fire of Truth, the Light that leads us to the immortal. Those who take the course of opposing a fancied Blavatsky autocracy have the liberty of continuing therein, but there are rocks and shoals in the way and they have no chart to guide them. We are preparing now for grander deeds in a future cycle. Let us make no mistake. Let us not shut the door just opened, but, sinking all personalities, proceed with the glorious work but now begun.
"H. P. B." is ready and waiting for us to go on with the Section. HOW LONG SHALL SHE WAIT?
J.D. Buck
October 17, 1889.