Theos-Talk Archives (March 1995 Message tl00355)

According to Nancy Coker:

> Many years ago, someone (Paul, I'm sure it was you) told me that
> all criticism should be honest, necessary, uplifting and kind.
> Yes!

Wish I could live up to it always!

> Re: HPB (or anyone else) telling lies -- Am I falling into
> sophistry to imagine that there are times literal truths get in
> the way of deeper truths?

Not at all.  I think that for both Sinnett and Hume, the more
details they might receive about the earthly personalities of
the Masters, the less they would be interested in the
philosophy.  As Dan points out, though, the letters are really
written to humanity, not just to a few people.  And isn't the
same true of people generally?  As KH wrote:

"...we do not wish Mr. Hume or you to prove conclusively to the
public that we really exist.  Please realize the fact that so
long as men doubt there will be curiosity and enquiry, and that
enquiry stimulates reflection which begets effort; but let our
secret be once thoroughly vulgarized and not only will
sceptical society derive no great good but our privacy would be
constantly endangered and have to be continually guarded at an
unreasonable cost of power."

My research suggests that the concealment of the adepts'
identities, and the use of blinds to confuse enquirers, was
necessary due to the sensitive positions occupied by Indian
political and religious leaders under British occupation.  As
part of an international network of HPB's advisors, the Indian
Mahatmas had to be very careful to downplay their associations
with foreigners.  As M wrote:

"There is more to this movement than you have yet had an
inkling of, and the work of the T.S. is linked with similar
work that is secretly going on in all parts of the world...know
you anything of the WHOLE brotherhood and its ramifications?
The Old Woman is accused of UNTRUTHFULNESS, INACCURACY in her
statements. [CAPS for italics] `Ask no questions and you will
receive NO LIES.'  SHE IS FORBIDDEN to say what she knows.  You
may cut her to pieces and she will not tell.  Nay-- she is
ordered IN CASES OF NEED TO MISLEAD PEOPLE..."