Theosophy - Third Message of H.P.Blavatsky - 1890
The
Third Message of H.P.Blavatsky- 1890
[This Message
was read to the American Convention of April, 1890, by Bertram Keightley, from
notes made by him at Madame Blavatsky's dictation, she being at the time too
sick to write herself. All her other Messages herein published were autograph
communications. The text of all the Messages is taken from the several official
Reports of the Conventions of the American Section T.S.]
Brother Theosophists
and co-workers:
The new cycle which
has opened for Theosophy is already beginning to bear fruit. The progress made
by the movement during the last year is more marked than ever before, but, while
encouraging us, it is also a reminder that the time of harvest is rapidly drawing
nigh, soon to be followed by the winter with storms and tempests. Thus, though
congratulating all of you, my earnest and active co-workers for our noble cause,
and especially my dear colleague, Mr. W. O. Judge, I must urge you to increase
rather than relax your efforts.
Looking back over
the past year, see how much has been accomplished by the power of union and
unselfish devotion to work. During 1888-89 only six new Branches were formed
in America; while in the past year fifteen additional Branches have been organized,
while the numbers of the Society have increased even more rapidly in proportion.
But even more important is the marked change of spirit among the members with
regard to the Society and its work, of which signs are not wanting. The past
twelve months have witnessed more activity in true Theosophical work, the endeavor
to help others, than any preceding year in the history of the Society in the
West. There are signs visible, though only gradually coming into sight, that
its members are at last awakening from their apathy and setting to work in earnest
to practice the first principle of true Theosophy - UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD. Gradually
they are becoming alive to the duty of helping others, as they have been helped,
by bringing a knowledge of the life-giving truths of Theosophy within the reach
of all. The Tract Mailing Scheme is receiving increased support, more workers
are volunteering assistance, and funds are forthcoming for carrying on the work
with increased efficiency and ardor. The Pacific Coast Branches have set the
example of undertaking this task as Branch work in a systematic and organized
manner, and the elevation, the earnestness of the workers there deserve much
praise. All gratitude is also due to the many faithful and earnest members in
America who responded so nobly and generously to my appeal for aid to continue
the publication of Lucifer. My heartiest thanks are theirs personally, one and
all, and the fruit of their efforts will be seen in the future career of the
magazine.
In England the past
year has witnessed a rapid growth and a great extension of the Society and its
work. Our cause has gained two noble and devoted adherents, whose names have
been prominent for long years past in connection with every effort to bring
real aid to suffering humanity - Annie Besant and Herbert Burrows. In them our
movement in the West has gained able exponents both with pen and voice. They
fill to some extent the long and sorely-felt need of speakers who could place
Theosophy in its true light before large audiences, and I, especially, am deeply
indebted to Annie Besant for her invaluable assistance and co-operation in the
conduct of Lucifer.
New Branches have
been formed here in the past twelve months, large numbers of members have joined
our ranks, while the growth of general interest in Theosophy is evidenced by
the changed tone of the Press and the frequent letters and articles on the subject
of Theosophy. So great is the increase of interest in London that we find ourselves
obliged to build a large meeting hall, at the new Head Quarters to which we
shall remove in August for the weekly meetings of the Blavatsky Lodge, as our
old home is quite too small to accommodate the number of enquirers who attend
the meetings.
Colonel Olcott's
prolonged stayed in England has been of great assistance to our work. His lectures
throughout England and Ireland have been the cause of the formation of several
new Branches, and his example and influence have done much good on all sides.
To myself his presence has been a great pleasure and satisfaction, and the added
strength when the "Two Founders" were once more side by side has made itself
felt in every department of our work. It was with great regret that I saw him
leave for India without paying his promised visit to America; but the Society
in the East has most need of his presence, and the death of Mr. Powell rendered
his direct return imperative. Though not personally acquainted with Mr. Powell,
I cannot forbear paying a heartfelt tribute of gratitude to his memory for the
splendid work he did for the Society, and for the nobility of his complete self-sacrifice
to the service of Humanity. Colonel Olcott was accompanied on his return to
India by two of our staff of workers here, Mr. Bowles Daly and Mr. E.D. Fawcett,
whose presence at Adyar will, I trust, be of great value to my beloved colleague,
our President Founder.
A large part of these
results is due to the added strength, and, above all, the increased spirit of
solidarity, which the organization of the Esoteric Section has infused into
the T.S. To the members of that Section I say: See and realize what great results
can be achieved by those who are really in earnest and unite unselfishly to
work for humanity. Let this year's outcome show you in unmistakable signs the
weighty responsibility that rests upon you, not only towards the Society, but
towards the whole of Humanity. Therefore do not for one moment relax in your
efforts; press closer, shoulder to shoulder, every day; stand together as one
man, come what may, fine weather or storm, and the victory of the cause to which
you have pledged yourselves is certain. Striving thus in unison with your Higher
Self, your efforts must and will be fruitful of good to the Society, to yourselves,
to Humanity. Coming years will show a steady, healthy growth, a strong, united
organization, a durable, reliable, and efficient instrument ready to the Masters'
hands. Once united in real solidarity, in the true spirit of Universal Brotherhood,
no power can overthrow you, no obstacle bar your progress, no barrier check
the advance of Theosophy in the coming century.
But enough of the
past. Let the encouragement we draw from a survey of the results accomplished
in the year that has fled serve to spur us on to greater efforts and more strenuous
exertions. Let it make all feel that there is a power behind the Society which
will give us the strength we need, which will enable us to move the world, if
we will but Unite and Work as one mind, one heart. The Masters require only
that each shall do his best, and above all, that each shall strive in reality
to feel himself one with his fellow-workers. It is not a dull agreement on intellectual
questions, or an impossible unanimity as to all details of work, that is needed;
but a true, hearty, earnest devotion to our cause which will lead each to help
his brother to the utmost of his power to work for that cause, whether or not
we agree as to the exact method of carrying on that work. The only man who is
absolutely wrong in his method is the one who does nothing; each can and should
co-operate with all and all with each in a large-hearted spirit of comradeship
to forward the work of bringing Theosophy home to every man and woman in the
country.
Let us look forward,
not backward. What of the coming year? And first a word of warning. As the preparation
for the new cycle proceeds, as the forerunners of the new sub-race make their
appearance on the American continent, the latent psychic and occult powers in
man are beginning to germinate and grow. Hence the rapid growth of such movements
as Christian Science, Mind Cure, Metaphysical Healing, Spiritual Healing, and
so forth. All these movements represent nothing but different phases of the
exercise of these growing powers,--as yet not understood and therefore but too
often ignorantly misused. Understand once for all that there is nothing "spiritual"
or "divine" in any of these manifestations. The cures effected by them are due
simply to the unconscious exercise of occult power on the lower planes of nature
--usually of prana or life-currents. The conflicting theories of all these schools
are based on misunderstood and misapplied metaphysics, often on grotesquely
absurd logical fallacies. But the one feature common to most of them, a feature
which presents the most danger in the near future is this. In nearly every case
the tenor of the teachings of these schools is such as to lead people to regard
the healing process as being applied to the mind of the patient. Here lies the
danger, for any such process - however cunningly disguised in words and hidden
by false noses - is simply to psychologise the patient. In other words, whenever
the healer interferes, consciously or unconsciously - with the free mental action
of the person he treats, it is - Black Magic. Already these so-called sciences
of "Healing" are being used to gain a livelihood. Soon some sharp person will
find out that by the same process the minds of others can be influenced in many
directions, and the selfish motive of personal gain and money getting having
been once allowed to creep in, the one-time "healer" may be insensibly led on
to use his power to acquire wealth or some other object of his desire.
This is one of the
dangers of the new cycle, aggravated enormously by the pressure of competition
and the struggle for existence. Happily new tendencies are also springing up,
working to change the basis of men's daily lives from selfishness to altruism.
The Nationalist Movement is an application of Theosophy. But remember, all of
you, that if Nationalism is an application of Theosophy, it is the latter which
must stand first in your sight. Theosophy is indeed the life, the indwelling
spirit which makes every true reform a vital reality, for Theosophy is Universal
Brotherhood, the very foundation as well as the keystone of all movements toward
the amelioration of our condition.
What I said last
year remains true today, that is, that the Ethics of Theosophy are more important
than any divulgement of psychic laws and facts. The latter relate wholly to
the material and evanescent part of the septenary man, but the Ethics sink into
and take hold of the real man - the reincarnating Ego. We are outwardly creatures
of but a day; within we are eternal. Learn, then, well the doctrines of Karma
and Reincarnation, and teach, practice, promulgate that system of life and thought
which alone can save the coming races. Do not work merely for the Theosophical
Society, but through it for Humanity.
May Theosophy grow
more and more a living power in the lives of each one of our members, and may
the coming year be yet more full of good work and healthy progress than the
one just closing, is the wish of your humble co-worker and fellow-member. |