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October 1965 to December 1965

Pages 165 – The Theosophical Movement – October 1965 (p. 34)

There will be no difficulty about becoming better speakers by the right kind of preparation. What is necessary is not great learning and recondite use of phrases and sentences, but a simple presentation of great ideas. This comes naturally to one who begins to take care of his mental furniture. We have to throw out of our mind and our brain the old notions which do not exactly fit in with our Theosophical teachings and principles. Once that is. done, devotion does the rest of the work — devotion not only to the Masters and to our own Inner Ruler, but also devotion in a very real sense to and for our fellow men. Our audiences are composed of living germs, and it is by our heart alone that we are able to establish contact with their hearts. This is essential for our platform work. As to the larger audiences, I am not worried about that. If a dozen people can bring to Theosophy a dozen more, they have done the task. I believe that Theosophy really gains by the snowball method. Time has come for us to think more of the inner attitude and inner development for the sake of present-day civilization and poor humanity.

It would help you considerably if you were to make a comparative study of the first six pages of The Voice of the Silence, the preliminary four statement-rules of Light on the Path, and the second chapter of the Gita. You will find that all of them give the first exercise for the probationer.

This is a cycle of trials for the personal everywhere and in strange ways. But trust and self-control, generosity of mind and speech, protect our own self and help others.

Our Work is our Work: from coast to coast and country to country, all of us who belong to the Great Army of the Voice are united, whether we are aware of that in our brains or not. But, if incarnation on earth is a necessity of and in evolution, our knowing each other on the physical plane is also a Theosophical necessity. The same feelings throb our hearts, the same thoughts energize our brains, and if words audible or visible further join us all in our endeavour we should take the course of helpfulness. And so herewith go expressions of thanks for the help given to the Movement in the past, hopes for what is to come and greetings and wishes and love heartfelt for the day and the year.

Pages 166-167 – The Theosophical Movement – November 1965 (pp. 35-36)

Every worker is an aspirant and soon or late every aspirant seeks the Upward Way to the Inner Life of Wisdom and Service, of Holiness and Sacrifice. We belong to one Great Family, and as one who has laboured in and for that Family for over half a century I am coming to you with my thanks for your past helpfulness to our Cause and my hopes for your future.

In our small army of Fortune’s Favoured Soldiers every soul is occupying a vital place, and so you are right — you have a peculiar high duty to perform in ——. We are a small band, but we have Faith wedded to Knowledge and our Kingdom is the most ancient and honourable. It is a great joy for me, therefore, to find in you a new recruit-helper, a new colleague.

Theosophy has two sides: metaphysical and moral. Space-Time-Motion, Rounds and Races, etc., are of the former, while Reincarnation, Karma, Cycles are of the latter. But can we do with one without the other? A bird cannot go high on one wing!

It is true, Theosophy answers every problem, and that gives us not only confidence but also power. We must be humble to seek, patient to apply what we learn, and grow as the flower grows. So, do not be timid; quiet courage is calmness itself. We do need calm courage with our own problems; we need love and sympathy for those of others.

You speak of your limited knowledge and the preparation of your talks: we learn as we teach, and as we lecture and write, our knowledge grows. It is one process, learning and teaching, and when service of the Masters is our motive an aspect of sacrifice comes into operation. Preparation of any lecture should be in two parts: (1) the gathering of ideas and substance and arrangement; (2) the inner calming of the mind and energizing of the heart by thinking about the Great Blessed and Holy Ones. Always practise that.

For your talk on animals and Karma you will find some helpful thoughts in Mr. Judge’s article about the Karmic reactions between humans and animals: “The Moral Law of Compensation,” U.L.T, Pamphlet No. 6; see also U.L.T. Pamphlet No. 3, pp. 4 and 5: “Universal Applications of Doctrine.” Also see H.P.B.’s “Have Animals Souls?” reprinted in The Theosophical Movement, Vol. IX. Then please see “Why Do Animals Suffer?” in Vol. XIV of the same magazine. I have given too many references for a short talk; but I have done so not only for the talk but for any future use.

What you say about Christianity and Theosophy has force in it. Give straight Theosophy straight. If questions on Christianity arise, distinguish between Christ and Church and you will find yourself not only on safe ground but on a helpful one, from which your hearers will gain.

About your lecture on “Do We Stand Alone?”: It is an excellent topic. Metaphysically, it is the doctrine of Universal Brotherhood (see The Heart Doctrine (pp. 61-69).  Morally, each must ask: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” and the answer is “Yes.” Remember the story of the Good Samaritan. What you say is true. Christmas should be made an occasion to cultivate warmth and love. Instead of killing turkey, we should sacrifice our gross animal nature and so love the animal kingdom. Instead of plum pudding we should make a “pudding” of graciousness and gratitude, love and joy, and above all gentle speech, which refers to the birth of the Soul in Man. Not independence but interdependence is required. The Voice of the Silence has a good verse about becoming soft as the mango pulp for the woes of others. Judge’s article on “How Should We Treat Others?” (pp. 85-90 of The Heart Doctrine) will give you numerous good points. Prepare your talk by giving time to study these and other things, and then give a heart-warming lecture to help all.

You gave some very good points in your lecture, but I do not like your report that you were tired after the lecture because of tension. Mr. Judge mentions that ease of manner is necessary in all our Theosophical work, and that we should not be anxious or worried about it. But it is all a matter of training and I doubt not that you will acquire the power in due course.

Pages 168-169 – The Theosophical Movement – December 1965 (pp. 82-83)

There are two types of emotions: lower and personal, and higher and impersonal and so truly elevating. Therefore music falls into two classes also. Confucius was a lover of music. Beethoven is elevating — e.g., the Moonlight Sonata, the Fifth Symphony, etc. Jazz music is one thing; sacred and classical music, another.

Not much is said about the Jews. What there is, is in Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. Remembering Karma and Reincarnation, and that there can be no “Jew souls” any more than “Dutch souls” or “Hindu souls,” we can watch the unfolding of Karma.

About the Jataka Tales and the world of symbols: Fables have always been a means of expressing fundamental truths in a way that the ordinary man can understand. You may notice in these tales that a difference has been made between those which refer to animal incarnations and those that refer to human incarnations. In the first case the tales begin with the statement: “The life that was to become the Buddha...”; and in the second case with “He that was to become the Buddha. . ..” Not many people will see this difference, but Theosophical students ought to do so. Certain constituents in our make-up have come through the animal kingdom. How else could our many qualities have been built up? The stories help us to realize the link between all kingdoms of Nature and the qualities that have to be built up. Animals, you say, are not entities; but they are, for that lifetime, and during that lifetime growth takes place along their natural lines.

The Secret Doctrine is for all, but each one will get out of it what he is capable of getting. Do not, therefore, just read it through or try to understand it at once. Read first the Introductory and the Proem to get a background. Then read in Volume I from page 266 onward, and also page 272 and onward. Book I, Part II, you may find interesting; also the section beginning on page 634 of Book I, Part III. In Volume II, page 303 and onward on Reincarnation and Karma will be a good study. It is a good plan to take from any book just what seems to give one a little illumination; then struggle to understand some difficult part. Knowledge comes slowly, but unless we make the effort that we are capable of making, we cannot progress in knowledge.

Coming to the work of the Lodge, you young friends should prepare yourselves so that older people may be relieved. I do not agree with the view that there is time enough, and if not now, then in the next life you can achieve something. There is no time to wait. Procrastination is a very weakening force and it is so flourishing in India that we are apt to be overtaken by foreign powers and forces and be enslaved by them. It is good that you should want to improve your knowledge of your own language so that your platform work as well as your correspondence and conversation with your own people may be creative and productive to a greater extent.

As students of Theosophy we all agree. The moment we come to politics there is difference of opinion. It shows the binding power of Theosophy. We have to learn to take a further step — “Can I with the help of Theosophy understand the point of view of my brother with whom I differ on any particular problem, including political problems?” But one must have a liberal mind and a spirit of universalism to be benefited practically by Theosophical teachings in this way.

The gathering of knowledge, the endeavour to practise it in daily life and the wish to so live that we may pass on the soul-satisfying knowledge of Theosophy to others and further the work of the Great Masters and of H.P.B.— these are the things that we must work for. It is a trust imposed on us through our interest in Theosophy, and making Theosophy a living power in our lives to an ever increasing extent will bring its own recompense.

The soul is a river whose holy source is self-control, whose water is truth, whose bank is righteousness, whose waves are compassion; bathe there, O son of Pandu, for not with water is the soul washed pure”. —Indian Proverb.