Theos-Talk Archives (February 2004 Message tt00158)

Feb 26 2004

Re: Successorship

Dear Friends:

After H P B's death a number of persons claimed to be her successors.

Here is an article which throws light on the subject.

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HOW SHE MUST LAUGH


SINCE the demise of H.P. Blavatsky's body, a little over a year ago,
mediums in various parts of the world have reported her "spirit" as
giving communications like what follows:

In Paris in May, 1891, that she objected to the cremation of her body
and had changed her views. Yes indeed, how her views must have changed!
Nota bene: this was from a Catholic medium.

In America in September, 1891, that she had absolutely changed all her
views and was now sincerely sorry she had promulgated Theosophy at all.
Again later, in the United States, that she desired to have
materializing and picture-daubing mediums represent her theories and her
teachers to the world, and to carry on her work.

About October, 1891, that her old ideas regarding "spooks" had altered,
and that now she wished it to be known as her teaching that the cast-off
astral remnants of a human being are in fact spirits, and may be taught
in the after life! And further, she is at present - presumably in
Kamaloka - desirous of seeing all her books burnt so that her old
teachings, now pernicious in her sight, may be forgotten as speedily as
possible.

Those who communicate these extraordinary reports from H.P.B. are not
accused by us of malice or any improper motive. The first "message" came
privately from one who had known her in life but whose views were always
quite in line with the message. The others represent the different
private opinions of the medium or clairvoyant reporting them. Such is
nearly always the case with these "spirit messages." They do, indeed,
come from psychic planes, and are not strictly the product of the
medium's normal brain. But they are the result of obscure thoughts of
the medium which color the astral atmosphere, and thus do no more than
copy the living. In one case, and that was the hugest joke of all, the
medium made a claim to at once step into H.P.B.'s shoes and be
acknowledged the leader of the Society!

How she must laugh! Unless mere death may change a sage into an idiot,
she is enjoying these jokes, for she had a keen sense of humor, and as
it is perfectly certain that Theosophists are not at all disturbed by
these "communications," her enjoyment of the fun is not embittered by
the idea that staunch old-time Theosophists are being troubled. But what
a fantastical world it is with its Materialists, Spiritualists,
Christians, Jews, and other barbarians, as well as the obscure
Theosophists!

Path, July, 1892
 
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HPB does not claim "authority." She claims to be a "messenger."
Specifically a messenger from the Great and Ancient Lodge of ADEPTS.  
 
In both ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE she disclaims any personal
authority and gives the credit for the records she transmits to the real
authors, the Mahatmas.

Since she was well aware that the Theosophical theories and hypotheses
would be received with various degrees of incredulity from the
academies, she was careful to make it clear that the information was in
reality taken from the HISTORY that the Adepts and their disciples
(chelas) had recorded down the ages. All that she requested was "equal
time" and open consideration of what Theosophy had to offer. [ S D I
272 - 300 ]
 
This suggests that THEOSOPHY is not a new-fangled system of collated
ideas drawn from many sources -- in fact if it were even that, then the
marvel is of HPB's mind. And, her capacity in drawing such a vast
diversity together and showing how the many pieces hung together to form
a seamless whole in the world of ideas and concepts. In many student's
experience and wide reading, there is no one who has written such a
comprehensive view of our world, the organization of the universe, on
the spiritual, intellectual and psychological basis, and the part that
Mankind plays in that.
 
The immortality of man's Spirit / Soul and the "God-spirit" (the
Universal DEIFIC ESSENCE), being present in every "life-atom" of our
LIVING UNIVERSE, are fundamental concepts.  

Everything in Nature trends in its life-experience towards a higher
degree of knowledge, wisdom, and perfection. Each life-cycle
(incarnation) is like a separate day at school and all are drawn
together by the uniting thread of the immortal, and eternal spiritual
Self which is at their core. In fact she shows how Theosophy traces the
evolution of the "consciousness and intelligence" of the SPIRITUAL SOUL
or Monad, through many forms -- from the atom to the human condition of
independent free-will. As below, so above -- said the wise Hermes. The
Atom and the Universe correspond in structure, movement and objectives.
They are integrated into one vast brotherhood of sensitive and
inter-protective laws. The great and the "small" are mutually
dependent. "Spirit" cannot exist without "matter." Eternal Mind -- is
the witness to all progress and life.

This sweep and concept is one that can be traced in every one of the
great religions and philosophies of the world. It is the record of
their existence, of their common source, and of our participation, again
and again, in those processes.  
 
Currently there is debate as to whether Theosophy has its roots in
Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, etc... And the place of Judaism, Kabala,
Islam and Sufism is debated and considered in many ways. The question
is always asked: 'Does knowledge, wisdom, and action have limits?" The
Universe stands as evidence that they not only do, b out that the
inter-relationship which permits diversified "life," is as ancient as
Science and philosophy are able to trace.

It is understood that scholars who are deeply familiar with those
systems and their development can trace the evidence and the pathways of
the development of similarities in observation and thought. However,
HPB claims on behalf of the great and ancient Lodge of Adepts, that all
those were derived from the "Sanatana Dharma," the "Perennial
Philosophy." which is a record of Life's development and history which
they have observed and left records of.. [ ISIS UNVEILED Vol. 2, pp
98-105. ] Modern "Theosophy" [ the Wisdom of the Deity ] claims to
expose the outlines of this system and traces these facts everywhere in
the world, and in the records of history on all continents.
 
As such Theosophy claims to be at the root and at the origin of all the
great ancient religio-philosophical systems and provides a reason for
their development as systems of practice leading to that kind of
"initiation" which develops Wisdom in thought and mind as well as
simultaneously the application of compassion and harmlessness in motive.

Thus, Theosophy, is not exclusively religion, or philosophy but also
includes science -- it is the power to investigate and record the
workings of NATURE (Life as a Whole) in every stage and department of
the world and our Universe.
 
The sweep of the ever-present immortal Life, through cycles of evolution
lead at last to the "all-Knowingness" of the PERFECTED MAN. The
designation "Mahatma" (Great Soul) is one that includes all such
self-developed men of superior knowledge and nature. It is held that
every single "monad" in our world, and our Universe is destined to
eventually enter the human stage of "freedom to think." From there on,
as we, humans can, the power to develop further is placed squarely in
our hands. The current test of humanity is? will it dare to assume the
responsibility? Will it follow Hermes' other injunction: " Man, Know
Thyself." 

The SECRET DOCTRINE therefore speaks of those great Initiates, the
"Fathers" and the "Guardians" of wisdom, as the intelligent guides, and
assistants that Nature employs to assist every fresh evolutionary
effort, a "new Day" of intelligent development and progress -- open
without exceptions to all beings.
 
If this is grasped the minute details and studies of specialists, while
respected, as continuing proof of the inclusive nature of Theosophy, is
also shown to be but the outer covering, to be but one way to approach
to the interior mystery of man's own mind, and its almost infinite
capacities.  
 
If this infinite capacity of the human mind to grow and to understand
the most simple, as well as the most complex subjects is grasped, the
more learned will continually encourage the learners to investigate and
prove for themselves all avenues, however diverse, of information,
tradition and lore. And that is the always growing tip of the
self-enlightening Mind. It always widens out to that which is permanent
and universal, when given a chance to emerge from ignorance, doubt,
skepticism and lethargy.
 

Theosophy shows us that the real energizers are OURSELVES.


Best wishes, 

Dallas