H. P. Blavatsky's, “The Key to Theosophy”
GA 41b
H. P. Blavatsky
[adapted from the online text provided by the Theosophical Society, Pasadena
Conclusion
The Future of the Theosophical Society
Enq. Tell me, what do you expect for Theosophy in the future?
Theo. If you speak of THEOSOPHY, I answer that, as it has existed eternally throughout the endless cycles upon cycles of the Past, so it will ever exist throughout the infinitudes of the Future, because Theosophy is synonymous with EVERLASTING TRUTH.
Enq. Pardon me; I meant to ask you rather about the prospects of the Theosophical Society.
Theo. Its future will depend almost entirely upon the degree of selflessness, earnestness, devotion, and last, but not least, on the amount of knowledge and wisdom possessed by those members, on whom it will fall to carry on the work, and to direct the Society after the death of the Founders.
Enq. I quite see the importance of their being selfless and devoted, but I do not quite grasp how their knowledge can be as vital a factor in the question as these other qualities. Surely the literature which already exists, and to which constant additions are still being made, ought to be sufficient?
Theo. I do not refer to technical knowledge of the esoteric doctrine, though that is most important; I spoke rather of the great need which our successors in the guidance of the Society will have of unbiassed and clear judgment. Every such attempt as the Theosophical Society has hitherto ended in failure, because, sooner or later, it has degenerated into a sect, set up hard-and-fast dogmas of its own, and so lost by imperceptible degrees that vitality which living truth alone can impart. You must remember that all our members have been bred and born in some creed or religion, that all are more or less of their generation both physically and mentally, and consequently that their judgment is but too likely to be warped and unconsciously biassed by some or all of these influences. If, then, they cannot be freed from such inherent bias, or at least taught to recognise it instantly and so avoid being led away by it, the result can only be that the Society will drift off on to some sandbank of thought or another, and there remain a stranded carcass to moulder and die.
Enq. But if this danger be averted?
Theo. Then the Society will live on into and through the twentieth century. It will gradually leaven and permeate the great mass of thinking and intelligent people with its large-minded and noble ideas of Religion, Duty, and Philanthropy. Slowly but surely it will burst asunder the iron fetters of creeds and dogmas, of social and caste prejudices; it will break down racial and national antipathies and barriers, and will open the way to the practical realisation of the Brotherhood of all men. Through its teaching, through the philosophy which it has rendered accessible and intelligible to the modern mind, the West will learn to understand and appreciate the East at its true value. Further, the development of the psychic powers and faculties, the premonitory symptoms of which are already visible in America, will proceed healthily and normally. Mankind will be saved from the terrible dangers, both mental and bodily, which are inevitable when that unfolding takes place, as it threatens to do, in a hot-bed of selfishness and all evil passions. Man's mental and psychic growth will proceed in harmony with his moral improvement, while his material surroundings will reflect the peace and fraternal good-will which will reign in his mind, instead of the discord and strife which is everywhere apparent around us to-day.
Enq. A truly delightful picture! But tell me, do you really expect all this to be accomplished in one short century?
Theo. Scarcely. But I must tell you that during the last quarter of every hundred years an attempt is made by those "Masters," of whom I have spoken, to help on the spiritual progress of Humanity in a marked and definite way. Towards the close of each century you will invariably find that an outpouring or upheaval of spirituality — or call it mysticism if you prefer — has taken place. Some one or more persons have appeared in the world as their agents, and a greater or less amount of occult knowledge and teaching has been given out. If you care to do so, you can trace these movements back, century by century, as far as our detailed historical records extend.
Enq. But how does this bear on the future of the Theosophical Society?
Theo. If the present attempt, in the form of our Society, succeeds better than its predecessors have done, then it will be in existence as an organized, living and healthy body when the time comes for the effort of the XXth century. The general condition of men's minds and hearts will have been improved and purified by the spread of its teachings, and, as I have said, their prejudices and dogmatic illusions will have been, to some extent at least, removed. Not only so, but besides a large and accessible literature ready to men's hands, the next impulse will find a numerous and united body of people ready to welcome the new torch-bearer of Truth. He will find the minds of men prepared for his message, a language ready for him in which to clothe the new truths he brings, an organization awaiting his arrival, which will remove the merely mechanical, material obstacles and difficulties from his path. Think how much one, to whom such an opportunity is given, could accomplish. Measure it by comparison with what the Theosophical Society actually has achieved in the last fourteen years, without any of these advantages and surrounded by hosts of hindrances which would not hamper the new leader. Consider all this, and then tell me whether I am too sanguine when I say that if the Theosophical Society survives and lives true to its mission, to its original impulses through the next hundred years — tell me, I say, if I go too far in asserting that earth will be a heaven in the twenty-first century in comparison with what it is now!
Abschluss
Die Zukunft der theosophischen Gesellschaft
Frag.: Was kann von der Theosophie in der Zukunft erwartet werden?
Theos.: Wenn von Theosophie gesprochen wird, so ist zu sagen, dass sie in allen Zeiten existiert hat, und dass sie daher auch in aller Zukunft existieren wird, denn Theosophie ist gleichbedeutend mit ewig-währender Wahrheit.
Frag.: Wenn aber die Frage in Bezug auf die Aussichten der Theosophischen Gesellschaft gestellt wird?
Theos.: Deren Zukunft wird von dem Grade der Selbstlosigkeit abhängen, dem Ernst, und der Hingabe und, nicht zum wenigsten, von der Weisheit und Erkenntnis, welche sich ihre Mitglieder aneignen, die die Arbeit weiterführen sollen, nach dem Hingange der Begründer.
Frag.: Es ist wohl die Wichtigkeit der Selbstlosigkeit und Hingabe einzusehen, aber warum sollte Erkenntnis ein ebenso bedeutsamer Lebensfaktor sein wie die anderen Eigenschaften? Es ist doch die Literatur bereits da, und zu dieser werden beständig neue Dinge hinzukommen. Das könnte doch genügen.
Theos.: Es ist auch nicht die technische Kenntnis der esoterischen Lehre gemeint, obgleich diese sehr wichtig ist; es ist vielmehr davon zu sprechen, dass die Nachfolger in der Führerschaft der Gesellschaft Unbefangenheit und klares Urteil haben müssen. Jeder solche Versuch wie die Theosophische Gesellschaft einer ist, musste bisher scheitern, weil die Sache, früher oder später, in eine Sektenbildung aufging, das eine oder das andere feste Dogma aufstellte, und daher auch dem unaufhaltbaren Verfall der Lebenskraft entgegenging, die allein wirkliche Wahrheit geben kann. Man muss daran denken, dass alle Mitglieder der Gesellschaft geboren und erzogen worden sind in irgend einem Religionsbekenntnisse, und dass deshalb alle, mehr oder weniger Kinder ihres Zeitalters sowohl in physischer wie in geistiger Beziehung sind, und dass daher ihr Urteil leicht unbewusst durch alle daher rührenden Einflüsse befangen gemacht wird. Sind sie also nicht in der Lage, von solchen Einflüssen sich frei zu machen, oder wenigstens durch Einsicht in dieselben sich vor denselben entsprechend zu bewahren, so kann sich daraus nur ergeben, dass die Gesellschaft in Untiefen des Gedankenmeeres geführt wird, und dort zu Grunde gehen muss.
Frag.: Wenn aber diese Gefahr beseitigt werden würde?
Theos.: Dann würde die Gesellschaft das ganze zwanzigste Jahrhundert hindurch wirken. Sie wird nach und nach durchdringen die großen Massen der denkenden und intelligenten Menschen mit ihren weitgeistigen und edlen Ideen von Religion, Pflicht und Menschenliebe. Langsam aber sicher wird sie zerbrechen die Eisenketten der Bekenntnisse und Dogmen, der sozialen und KastenVorurteile; sie wird die Völker- und Rassen-Antipathien überwinden und den Weg frei machen zur praktischen Verwirklichung des Bruderbundes der ganzen Menschheit. Durch ihre Lehren, durch ihre dem gegenwärtigen Verständnis angepasste Philosophie wird der Westen lernen, den Osten in seiner Eigenart zu verstehen. Weiter, es wird heilsam und normal die Entwicklung der psychischen Kräfte und Fähigkeiten weiterschreiten, deren vorverkündende Symptome bereits in Amerika sichtbar werden. Die Menschheit wird der großen Gefahr entgehen, sowohl in geistiger wie körperlicher Beziehung, die unvermeidlich ist, wenn jenes Einleben in die psychischen Kräfte im Zeichen der Selbstsucht und der bösen Leidenschaften sich abspielte. Das geistige und psychische Wachstum der Menschheit wird im Einklange stehen mit dem moralischen Fortschritt, während die materielle Umgebung wiederspiegeln wird den Frieden und das brüderliche Wohlwollen, die den Geist beherrschen werden, statt des Missklanges und Streites, die heute überall in die Augen springen.
Frag.: Solch ein Bild ist in hohem Grade befriedigend. Kann man aber glauben, dass so etwas in einem Jahrhundert sich verwirklicht?
Theos.: Kaum; aber es muss gesagt werden, dass im letzten Viertel eines jeden Jahrhunderts von den erwähnten Meistern der Versuch gemacht worden ist, den geistigen Fortschritt der Menschheit in einer bestimmten Art vorwärts zu bringen. Gegen das Ende eines jeden Jahrhunderts wird man in irgendeiner Art ein Verbreiten von spirituellen, oder man möge es mystische Strömungen nennen, finden. Diese oder jene Personen treten in der Welt als die Gesandten der großen Seelen auf, und ein größeres oder geringeres Maß von okkulten Erkenntnissen wird in die Welt gesetzt. Wer darauf achtet, der kann solche Bewegungen zurückverfolgen, Jahrhundert für Jahrhundert, soweit als nur die menschliche Geschichtswissenschaft reicht.
Frag.: Wie aber hängt dies mit der Zukunft der Theosophischen Gesellschaft zusammen?
Theos.: Wenn der gegenwärtige Versuch, den diese Gesellschaft gemacht hat, ein besseres Gelingen findet, als dies bei seinen Vorgängern der Fall war, dann wird sie in dem Zeitpunkte des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts, wenn die entsprechende Zeit gekommen sein wird, ein lebendiger und heilsamer Körper sein. Die Zustände der menschlichen Geister und Herzen werden durch die Verbreitung der theosophischen Lehren geläutert und gereinigt werden, und wie bereits gesagt, die dogmatischen Vorurteile und Illusionen werden hinschwinden. Und außerdem wird den Menschen eine große und bedeutsame Literatur zur Verfügung stehen, und dadurch wird die nächste Einströmung der Wahrheit innerhalb der Menschheit einen entsprechenden Empfang und das nötige Verständnis finden. Und ein neuer Sendbote der Wahrheit wird die Menschheit für seine Botschaft vorbereitet finden; es wird eine Ausdrucksform geben, in die er die neuen Wahrheiten wird kleiden können, eine Organisation, die in einer gewissen Beziehung seine Ankunft erwartet, um dann die materiellen Hindernisse und Schwierigkeiten von seinem Wege hinwegzuheben. Man denke doch nur, wie jemand wird wirken können, der in einer solchen Lage sein wird. Man vergleiche damit, was die Theosophische Gesellschaft in der letzten Zeit wirklich geleistet hat, ohne dass sie in der Lage eines solchen Führers gewesen wäre, da sie doch mit Schwierigkeiten auf allen Seiten zu kämpfen hatte. Man bedenke dies alles, und setze voraus, dass die Theosophische Gesellschaft richtig weiter bestehen werde, und dass sie ihrem ursprünglichen Ideale treu bleiben werde, und man erwäge dann, ob es zu sanguinisch ist, wenn gesagt wird, dass im einundzwanzigsten Jahrhundert die Erde ein Himmel sein werde im Vergleich zu dem, was sie gegenwärtig ist.
Ende.
Automated Retranslation
Conclusion
The future of the Theosophical Society
Question: What can be expected of Theosophy in the future?
Theos.: When speaking of Theosophy, it must be said that it has existed in all times and will therefore continue to exist in the future, because Theosophy is synonymous with eternal truth.
Frag.: But what about the prospects of the Theosophical Society?
Theos.: Its future will depend upon the degree of unselfishness, the earnestness, and devotion, and, not least, the wisdom and knowledge which its members acquire, who are to carry on the work after the departure of the founders.
Frag.: It is easy to understand the importance of selflessness and devotion, but why should knowledge be as important a factor in life as the other qualities? After all, the literature is already there, and new things will constantly be added to it. That alone could be enough.
Theos.: It is not meant the technical knowledge of the esoteric teaching either, although this is very important; it is rather to be said that the successors in the leadership of the society must have impartiality and clear judgment. Every attempt like that of the Theosophical Society was bound to fail in the past because, sooner or later, the matter ended up in the formation of a sect that established one or another fixed dogma and thus headed towards the inevitable decline of the life force that alone can give real truth. It must be remembered that all members of society have been born and educated in some religious denomination, and that therefore all of them are, to a greater or lesser extent, children of their age in both a physical and spiritual sense, and that therefore their judgment is easily and unconsciously influenced by all such influences. If they are not able to free themselves from such influences, or at least to protect themselves from them by insight into them, then it can only result in society being led into the shallows of the sea of thought, and there it must perish.
Question: But what if this danger were removed?
Theos.: Then the Society would be able to work throughout the whole of the twentieth century. It will gradually permeate the great masses of thinking and intelligent people with its far-reaching and noble ideas of religion, duty and love of one's fellow human beings. Slowly but surely it will break the iron chains of creeds and dogmas, of social and caste prejudices; it will overcome the antipathies of nations and races and clear the way for the practical realization of the brotherhood of all mankind. Through its teachings, through its philosophy adapted to present understanding, the West will learn to understand the East in its own way. Furthermore, the development of psychic powers and abilities will continue in a healthy and normal way, the first signs of which are already visible in America. Humanity will escape the great danger, both spiritually and physically, which is inevitable if the assimilation of psychic powers takes place under the influence of selfishness and evil passions. The spiritual and psychic growth of humanity will be in harmony with moral progress, while the material environment will reflect the peace and brotherly goodwill that will dominate the mind, instead of the discord and strife that are so evident everywhere today.
Frag.: Such a picture is highly satisfying. But can one believe that something like this will be realized in a century?
Theos.: It is hardly likely, but it must be said that in the last quarter of each century the masters mentioned have tried to advance the spiritual progress of humanity in a certain way. Towards the end of each century, one finds some kind of spreading of spiritual, or, if you like, mystical currents. These or those persons appear in the world as the envoys of great souls, and a greater or lesser measure of occult knowledge is brought into the world. He who pays attention can trace back such movements, century after century, as far as human historical science extends.
Frag.: But how does this relate to the future of the Theosophical Society?
Theos.: If the present attempt made by this Society meets with more success than its predecessors did, then at the point in time of the twentieth century when the appropriate time has come, it will be a living and wholesome body. The conditions of human minds and hearts will be purified and cleansed by the spread of the theosophical teachings, and, as already said, the dogmatic prejudices and illusions will fade away. And in addition, a great and significant literature will be available to people, and thus the next influx of truth within humanity will find a corresponding reception and the necessary understanding. And a new Messenger of Truth will find humanity prepared for his message; there will be a form of expression in which he can clothe the new truths, an organization that will, in a certain sense, await his arrival in order to remove the material obstacles and difficulties from his path. Just think how someone who is in such a position will be able to work. Compare this with what the Theosophical Society has really achieved in recent times, without being in the position of such a leader, since it has had to struggle with difficulties on all sides. Consider all this, and assume that the Theosophical Society will continue properly and remain true to its original ideals, and then consider whether it is too sanguine to say that in the twenty-first century the earth will be a heaven compared to what it is now.
End.