Hello All, I'm doing my best to get back to the fold as I'll present to you letter
no. 54. This was a slightly longer one and is addressing lots of what was happening inside the organisation of the TS, what has been done and how things should be worked out in the future.
Once again there is critisism towards the teachings of the Masters. I was a bit puzzled of whom they are talking of, but I assume it is Mr. Hume (once again). He seems to sort of play only for his own team and seeming to want control over a number of things in the TS. There is a brief warning of someone called Fern and how he (?) should not be trusted.
KH wrote:"Try to save him, if possible, my dearest friend; do your best to convert him to truth and unselfishness."
There is talk of other individuals, which I'm not familiar with, such as C.C.Massey. I was slightly intrigued by KH's mention:
KH wrote:"I certainly objected having my letters printed and circulated like those of Paul in the bazaars of Ephesus — for the benefit (or perchance derision and criticism) of isolated members who hardly believed in our existence."
But then again:
KH wrote:"I will never refuse my help and cooperation to a group of men sincere and ardent to learn; but if again, such men as Mr. Hume are to be admitted, men who generally delight in playing in every organized system they get into, the parts played by Typhon and Ahriman in the Egyptian and Zoroastrian systems — then the plan had better be left aside."
In the light of this I began to ponder on the publication of the book we are having this reading group of, and that I'd recall there being some critisism on the part of the TS of the publication of these Mahatma letters. Does any one of us have any opinion on this? Personally I think there is no harm in the publication, because I
believe (emphasis on the word) that those who have the ability to read the message between the lines are able to fill their cups with wisdom, as for others who lack the necessary cipher will remain clueless.
There is talk of sort of bending the mindset of the Masters (on Hume's behalf) to better suit the view of the masses. This idea I personally dislike, as seems the author. A good point that KH makes is that an aspirant should first digest and understand the given teachings and only after this would he/she be permitted to more. This is very much the problem on our present time, with basicly limitless information sources being available, but no-one to guide one through it. An important point indeed.
Then there is lots of talk about suspicion towards HPB and, once again,her caused phenomena. I feel that the conversations circles a little bit too much on this matter, but perhaps the time period in which the letters were written, demanded attension to this particular subject. HPB is blamed to be an impostor by CCM (and others). There is quite lengthy explanation on KH's behalf that this is not the case and that HPB actually credited the tidings to anybody but herself, even though her mindset played an important role in the process. This process eventually becoming a burden to her.
KH wrote:"And thus she kept on killing herself inch by inch, ready to give — for our benefit and glory, as she thought — her life-blood drop by drop, and yet invariably denying before witnesses that she had anything to do with it. Would you call this sublime, albeit foolish self-abnegation — "dishonest"? We do not; nor shall we ever consent to regard it in such a light."
Further:
KH wrote:"In your opinion H.P.B. is, at best, for those who like her despite herself — a quaint, strange woman, a psychological riddle: impulsive and kindhearted, yet not free from the vice of untruth. We, on the other hand, under the garb of eccentricity and folly — we find a profounder wisdom in her inner Self than you will ever find yourselves able to perceive."
This reminded me of:
Voice of the Silence wrote:"Saith the Great Law: "In order to become the KNOWER of ALL SELF, thou hast first of SELF to be the knower" To reach the knowledge of that SELF, thou hast to give up Self to NON-Self, Being to Non-Being, and then thou canst repose between the wings of the GREAT BIRD"
Then, there is brief disclosure on why certain individual failed the tests by the Masters and HPB, such as the afore-mentioned Fern, CCM and S.Moses.
The rest of the letter is more or less KH's plans on how to organize the TS in the future, separating the branches more from the Parent society, if they only vow to respect the original founding principles. There not much of an interest here, apart from the historical point of view.
There is an amusing anecdote, though, of KH's rendezvous with a certain, almost toothless, goat, who happened to munch on certain important letters, as he had in haste and carelessness dropped them. He was, fortunately, able to restore these munched parts and the story ended happily:
KH wrote:"Hence I thanked the goat heartily; and since he does not belong to the ostracised Peling race, to show my gratitude I strengthened what remained of teeth in his mouth, and set the dilapidated remains firmly in their sockets, so that he may chew food harder than English letters for several years yet to come."
I feel that there is some nice symbolism at work here..
I will close with a very wise quote from the Master:
KH wrote:"Occultism is certainly not necessary for a good, pure Ego to become an "Angel" or Spirit in, or out of the Devachan since Angelhood is the result of Karma."
Peace be with you, brothers and Sisters!