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a book does a real, substantial good. As to what you call practical deeds of
charity, to benefit the bodies of our fellowmen, we do what little we can;
but, as I have already told you, most of us are poor, whilst the Society
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itself has not even the money to pay a staff of workers. All of us who toil
for it, give our labor gratis, and in most cases money as well. The few who
have the means of doing what are usually called charitable actions, follow
the Buddhist precepts and do their work themselves, not by proxy or by
subscribing publicly to charitable funds. What the Theosophist has to do
above all is to forget his personality.
-oOo-
What a Theosophist Ought Not to Do
Q. Have you any prohibitory laws or clauses for Theosophists in your
Society?
A. Many, but-alas!-none of them are enforced. They express the ideal of our
organization, but the practical application of such things we are compelled
to leave to the discretion of the Fellows themselves. Unfortunately, the
state of men's minds in the present century is such that, unless we allow
these clauses to remain, so to speak, obsolete, no man or woman would dare
to risk joining the Theosophical Society. This is precisely why I feel
forced to lay such a stress on the difference between true Theosophy and its
hard-struggling and well-intentioned, but still unworthy vehicle, the
Theosophical Society.
Q. May I be told what are these perilous reefs in the open sea of Theosophy?
A. Well may you call them reefs, as more than one otherwise sincere and
well-meaning F.T.S. has had his Theosophical canoe shattered into splinters
on them! And yet to avoid certain things seems the easiest thing in the
world to do. For instance, here is a series of such negatives, screening
positive Theosophical duties:
No Theosophist should be silent when he hears evil reports or slanders
spread about the Society, or innocent persons, whether they be his
colleagues or outsiders.
Q. But suppose what one hears is the truth, or may be true without one
knowing it?
A. Then you must demand good proofs of the assertion, and hear both sides
impartially before you permit the accusation to go uncontradicted. You have
no right to believe in evil, until you get undeniable proof of the
correctness of the statement.
Q. And what should you do then?
A. Pity and forbearance, charity and long-suffering, ought to be always
there to prompt us to excuse our sinning brethren, and to pass the gentlest
sentence possible upon those who err. A Theosophist ought never to forget
what is due to the shortcomings and infirmities of human nature.
Q. Ought he to forgive entirely in such cases?
A. In every case, especially he who is sinned against.
Q. But if by so doing, he risks to injure, or allow others to be injured?
What ought he to do then?
A. His duty; that which his conscience and higher nature suggests to him;
but only after mature deliberation. Justice consists in doing no injury to
any living being; but justice commands us also never to allow injury to be
done to the many, or even to one innocent person, by allowing the guilty one
to go unchecked.
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Q. What are the other negative clauses?
A. No Theosophist ought to be contented with an idle or frivolous life,
doing no real good to himself and still less to others. He should work for
the benefit of the few who need his help if he is unable to toil for
Humanity, and thus work for the advancement of the Theosophical cause.
Q. This demands an exceptional nature, and would come rather hard upon some
persons.
A. Then they had better remain outside the T.S. instead of sailing under
false colors. No one is asked to give more than he can afford, whether in
devotion, time, work, or money.
Q. What comes next?
A. No working member should set too great value on his personal progress or
proficiency in Theosophic studies; but must be prepared rather to do as much
altruistic work as lies in his power. He should not leave the whole of the
heavy burden and responsibility of the Theosophical Movement on the
shoulders of the few devoted workers. Each member ought to feel it his duty
to take what share he can in the common work, and help it by every means in [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]