Study Group and Bookshop Musings
by John Rau
(Winter, 1999-2000)
Question: I was reading a recently published theosophy book the other day and it’s author made reference to the works of H. P. Blavatsky as being diluted forms of late nineteenth century Hinduism and Buddhism and also claimed there were however, authentic Christian theosophy books to be studied. What do you have to say about this?
Response: I know the book you mean. It is worth reading, and I think there is learning to be had from it’s perusal. But I always find it fascinating when H.P.B. is slammed for lack of substance. Isaac Asimov called The Secret Doctrine “unreadable”. One might understand why Asimov would make that statement given the magnitude of the work. The SD does require a concentrated effort to explore. But to call her masterly work “diluted”, is a poor choice of adjective. I am surprised an editor let it pass.
Some scholars and writers on these esoteric subjects are often trapped by what seems to be a need for acceptance in their particular circle of academia. No different than we might find in many academic “hard science” fields. Rock the boat, and one may be out of a job, or at least out of favor. There is also the slogan, repeated in university halls daily, - “publish or perish”. Some academics must publish, if they are to maintain a position. Theosophists of a Blavatsky bent are also sometimes guilty of finding themselves entrapped in this intellectual snare of “I know”. I myself see it creeping up behind me regularly - and sometimes it bites when I least expect it. I have been overtaken by this bug many times. Intellect is a needed tool, and is a part of us that certainly needs development in our quest for truth. Intellect however, can also throw up roadblocks if we lose sight of what we may call our composite nature. Intellect is a part of us - a necessary part - but intellect, I think, should not become our major guiding inspiration. It is likely that the intellect of the lower mind dies with the body (or much of it anyway) - for as ancient wisdom teaches, only that which is good, the flower, the aroma, is harvested as we enter the “happy place” at death to unfold even more as we await our next incarnation on earth. We, as individuals are so very much more than just scholars searching our libraries and intellectual pursuits.
In eastern philosophy there is a liberal Hindu school of thought called Smartism, many adherents of which, seek to attain liberation (moksha, nirvana, or heaven) through their reflections upon scriptures intellectually (Jnana yoga) and by applied action (Karma-yoga). Although they differ in approach to a final goal when compared to other schools of Hinduism, as a theosophy of life, this approach is accepting of other paths. This type of acceptance is, unfortunately, still abundantly lacking here in our Christianized West, and in other camps of thought, be they intellectually inspired in academia or based on blind faith dogmas.
H.P.B.’s work is cross cultural and concerns the theosophy of ages past and those ages yet to come. She pulls and quotes from several hundred sources - religious, scientific, mythological and philosophical. One’s ego might rise up and call her work “deluded”, but hardly diluted.
H.P.B.’s student and co-founder of the Theosophical Society, William Quan Judge said more than once that we Theosophists are working to change the buddhi and manas (our divine and mental natures) of the races to come. We study, we contemplate, we gather, we work. We are, as humanity, many collected parts of the future races to come, and truly, we are even more than that. Much more.
I think, during our work and study, we should try to keep our minds focused and test new information and thoughts against our touchstones of truth. These touchstones we can find within ourselves, as well as in the study and analysis of ancient and modern scriptures, and shared truth-seeking discussions with our fellows, keeping open our intuition as a backdrop through these journeys of mind and thought.
There is indeed, “no religion higher than truth” and only we can decide for ourselves what truth is.