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The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett - 1923
By A. T. Barker
Letter No IV
Apparently received 5th November. Madam and Colonel O. arrived at our house, Allahabad, on December the 1st, 1880. Col. O. went to Benares on the 3rd—Madam joined him on the nth. Both returned to Allahabad on 20th and stayed until 28th. A.P.S. My Dear Brother,
Amrita Saras, Oct. 29
My Dear Brother,
I could assuredly make no objection to the style which you have kindly adopted, in addressing me by name, since it is, as you say, the outcome of a personal regard even greater than I have as yet deserved at your hands. The conventionalities of the weary world, outside our secluded '* Ashrums," troubles us but little at any time ; least of all now, when it is men not ceremony-masters, we seek, devotion, not mere observances. More and more a dead formalism is gaining ground, and I am truly happy to find so unexpected an ally in a quarter where, hitherto there have not been too many—among the highly educated classes of English Society. A crisis, in a certain sense, is upon us now, and must be met. I might say two crises—one the Society's, the other for Tibet. For, I may tell you in confidence, that Russia is gradually massing her forces for a future invasion of that country under the pretext of a Chinese War. If she does not succeed it will be due to us ; and herein, at least we will deserve your gratitude. You see then, that we have weightier matters than small societies to think about; yet, the T.S. must not be neglected. The affair has taken an impulse, which, if not well guided, might beget very evil issues.Recall to mind the avalanches of your admired Alps, that you haveoften thought about, and remember that at first their mass issmall and their momentum little. A trite comparison you maysay, but I cannot think of a better illustration, when viewing thegradual aggregation of trifling events, growing into a menacingdestiny for the Theos. Soc. It came quite forcibly upon me theother day as I was coming down the defiles of Konenlun—Karakorum you call them—and saw an avalanche tumble. I had gonepersonally to our chief to submit Mr. Hurra's important offer, andwas crossing over to Lhadak on my way home. What otherspeculations might have followed I cannot say. But just as I wastaking advantage of the awful stillness which usually follows suchcataclysm, to get a clearer view of the present situation and thedisposition of the " mystics " at Simla, I was rudely recalled tomy senses. A familiar voice, as shrill as the one attributed toSaraswati's peacock—which, if we may credit tradition, frightenedoff the King of the Nagas—shouted along the currents ** Olcotthas raised the very devil again ! . . . the Englishmen aregoing crazy. Koot Hoomi, come quicker and help me ! "—and inher excitement forgot she was speaking English. I must say,that the ** old lady's " telegrams do strike one like stones fromacatapult !
What could I do but come? Argument through space with onewho was in cold despair, and in a state of moral chaos was useless.So I determined to emerge from the seclusion of many years andspend some time with her to comfort her as well as I could. Butour friend is not one to cause her mind to reflect the philosophicalresignation of Marcus Aurelius. The fates never wrote that shecould say : ** It is a royal thing, when one is doing good to hearevil spoken of himself." I had come for a few days, but now findthat I myself cannot endure for any length of time the stiflingmagnetism even of my own countrymen. I have seen some ofour proud old Sikhs drunk and staggering over the marble pavement of their sacred Temple. I have heard an English-speakingVakil declaim against Yog Vidya and Theosophy as a delusionand a lie, declaring that English Science had emancipated themfrom such ** degrading superstitions," and saying that it was aninsult to India to maintain that the dirty Yogees and Sunnyasisknew anything about the mysteries of nature ; or that any livingman can or ever could perform any phenomena ! I turn my facehomewards to-morrow.
The delivery of this letter may very possibly be delayed for afew days, owing to causes which it will not interest you for meto specify. Meanwhile, however, I have telegraphed you mythanks for your obliging compliance with my wishes in the matters you allude to in your letter of the 24th inst. I see with pleasure, that you have not failed to usher me before the world as a possible "confederate." That makes our number 10, I believe? But I must say, that your promise was well and loyally fulfilled. Received at Armitsur on the 27th inst., at 2 p.m., I got your letter about thirty miles beyond Rawul Pindee, five minutes later, and had an acknowledgment wired to you from Jhelum at 4 p.m. on the same afternoon. Our modes of accelerated delivery and quick communications are not then, as you will see, to be despised by the Western world, or even the Aryan, English-speaking and sceptical Vakils.
ceptical Vakils. I could not ask a more judicial frame of mind in an ally than that in which you are beginning to find yourself. My Brother, you have already changed your attitude toward us in a distinct degree : what is to prevent a perfect mutual understanding one day?
Mr. Hume's proposition has been duly and carefully considered. He will, no doubt, advise you of the results as expressed in my letter, to him. Whether he will give our ** modes of action " as fair a trial as yourself—is another question. Our Maha (the ** Chief ") has allowed me to correspond with both of you, and even—in case an Anglo-Indian Branch is formed—to come some day in personal contact with it. It now depends entirely on you. I cannot tell you more. You are quite right as to the standing of our friends in the Anglo-Indian world having been materially improved by the Simla visit ; and, it is also true, though your modesty refrains from saying so, that we are mainly indebted to you for this. But quite apart from the unlucky incidents of the Bombay publications, it is not possible that there should be much more at best than a benevolent neutrality shown by your people toward ours. There is so very minute a point of contact between the two civilisations they respectively represent that one might almost say they could not touch at all. Nor would they but for the few—shall I say eccentrics?—who, like you, dream better and bolder dreams than the rest ; and provoking thought, bring the two together by their own admirable audacity. Has it occurred to you that the two Bombay publications, if not influenced, may at least have not been prevented, by those who might have done so, because they saw the necessity for that much agitation to effect the double result of making a needed diversion after the Broach Grenade, and, perhaps, of trying the strength of your personal interest in occultism and theosophy? I do not say it was so; I but enquire whether the contingency ever presented itself to your mind. I have already caused it to be intimated to you that if the details given in the stolen letter had been anticipated in the Pioneer—a much more appropriate place, and where they would have been handled to better advantage—that document would nothave been worth anyone's while to purloin for the Times of India,and therefore no names would have appeared.
Colonel Olcott is doubtless ** out of time with the feelings ofEnglish people " of both classes; but nevertheless more in timewith us than either. Him we can trust under all circumstances,and his faithful service is pledged to us come well—come ill. MyDear Brother, my voice is the echo of impartial justice. Wherecan we find an equal devotion? He is one who never questions,but obeys; who may make innumerable mistakes out of excessivezeal but never is unwilling to repair his fault even at the cost ofthe greatest self-humiliation ; who esteems the sacrifice of comfortand even life something to be cheerfully risked whenever neces-sary ; who will eat any food, or even go without ; sleep on anybed, work in any place, fraternise with any outcast, endure anyprivation for the cause. ... I admit that his connection withan A.I. Branch would be "an evil "—hence, he will have no moreto do with it than he has with the British (London Branch). Hisconnection will be purely nominal, and may be made more so, byframing your Rules more carefully than theirs ; and giving yourorganization such a self-acting system of Government as wouldseldom if ever require any outside interference. But to makeanindependent A. LB. with the self-same objects, either in wholeorapart, as the Parent Society and with the same directors behindthe scenes would be not only to deal a mortal blow at the Theos.Soc. but also put upon us a double labour and anxiety without theslightest compensating advantage that any of us can perceive.The Parent S. has never interfered in the slightest degree withthe British T.S., nor indeed with any other Branches, whetherreligious or philosophical. Having formed, or caused to beformed a new branch, the Parent S. charters it (which it cannotnow do without our Sanctions and Signatures), and then usuallyretires behind the scenes, as you would say. Its further connection with the subject branches is limited to receiving quarterlyaccounts of their doings and lists of the new fellows, ratifying ex-pulsions—only when specially called upon as an arbitrator tointerfere on account of the Founders' direct connection with us—etc., etc. ; it never meddles otherwise in their affairs except whenappealed to as a sort of appelate court. And the latter dependingon you, what is there to prevent your Society from remainingvirtually independent? We are, even more generous, than youBritish are to us. We will not force upon, nor even ask youtosanction a Hindu " resident " in your Society to watch theinterests of the Parent Paramount Power when we have once declared you independent ; but will implicitly trust to your loyaltyand word of honour. But if you now so dislike the idea of a purely nominal executive supervision by Col. Olcott—an American of your own race—you would surely rebel against dictation from a Hindu, whose habits and methods are those of his own people, and whose race, despite your natural benevolence, you have not yet learnt even to tolerate, let alone to love or respect. Think well before you ask for our guidance. Our best, most learned, and holiest adepts are of the races of the *' greasy Tibetans " ; and the Penjabi Singhs—you know the lion is proverbially a dirty and offensive beast, despite his strength and courage. Is it certain that your good compatriots would more easily forgive our Hindu solecisms in manners than those of their own kinsmen of America? If my observations have not misled I should say this was doubtful. National prejudices are apt to leave one's spectacles undimmed. You say " how glad we should be, if that one to guide you were yourself," meaning your unworthy cor- respondent. My good brother, are you certain, that the pleasant impression you now may have from our correspondence would not instantly be destroyed upon seeing me? And which of our holy Shaberons has had the benefit of even the little university education and inkling of European manners that has fallen to my share? An instance : I desired Mad. B. to select among the two or three Aryan Punjabees who study Yog Vidya, and our natural mystics one, whom—without disclosing myself to him too much I could designate as a native between yourself and us, and whom I was anxious to despatch to you, with a letter of introduction, and have him speak to you of Yoga and its practical effects. This young gentleman, who is as pure as purity itself, whose aspirations and thoughts are of the most spiritual ennobling kind, and who merely through self-exertion was able to penetrate into the regions of the formless worlds—this young man is not fit for—a drawing-room. Having explained to him that the greatest good might result for his country if he helped you to organize a branch of English mystics by proving to them practically to what wonderful results led the study of Yog, Mad. B. asked him in guarded and very delicate terms to change his dress and turban before starting for Allahabad—for, though she did not give him this reason, they were very dirty and slovenly. You are to tell Mr. Sinnett—she said—that you bring him a letter from our Brother K., with whom he corresponds. But, if he asks you anything either of him or the other Brothers answer him simply and truthfully that you are not allowed to expatiate upon the subject. Speak of Yog and prove to him what powers you have attained. This young man, who had consented, wrote later on the following curious letter : ** Madam," he said, " you who preach the highest standards of morality, of truthfulness, etc., you would have me play the part of an impostor. You ask me to change my clothes at the risk of giving a false idea of my personality and mystifyingthe gentleman you sent me to. And what if he asks me if I per-sonally know Koot Hoomi, am I to keep silent and allow him tothink I do? This would be a tacit falsehood, and guilty of thatI would be thrown back into the awful whirl of transmigration ! "Here is an illustration of the difficulties under which we have tolabour. Powerless to send to you a neophyte before you havepledged yourself to us—we have to either keep back or despatchto you one who at best would shock if not inspire you at oncewith disgust ! The letter would have been given him by my ownhand ; he had but to promise to hold his tongue upon matters heknows nothing about and could give you but a false idea of, andto make himself look cleaner. Prejudice and dead letter again.For over a thousand years, —says Michelet, —the Christian Saintsnever washed themselves ! For how long will our Saints dreadto change their clothes for fear of being taken for Marmaliks andthe neophytes of rival and cleaner sects.
But these, our difficulties, ought not to prevent you from beginning your work. Colonel O. and Mad. B. seeming willing tobecome personally responsible for both yourself and Mr. Hume,ifyou yourself are ready to answer for the fidelity of any man yourparty may choose as the leader of the A.I.T.S., we are contentthat the trial shall be made. The field is yours and no one willbe allowed to interfere with you except myself on behalf of ourChiefs when you once do me the honour to prefer me to the others.But before one builds the house he makes the plan. Suppose youdraft a memorandum as to the constitution and policy of management of the A.I. Society you have in mind and submit it for consideration? If our Chiefs agree to it—and it is not surely theywho would show themselves obstructive in the universal onwardmarch, or retard this movement to a higher goal—then you will atonce be chartered. But they must first see the plan ; and I mustask you to remember that the new Society shall not be allowed todisconnect itself with the Parent Body, though you are at libertyto manage your affairs in your own way without fearing theslightest interference from its President so long as you do notviolate the general Rules. And upon this point I refer you toRule 9. This is the first practical suggestion coming from a Cisand Tran5-Himalayan ** cave-dweller '* whom you have honouredwith your confidence.
And now about yourself personally. Far be it from me to dis-courage one so willing as yourself by setting up impossible barriersto your progress. We never whine over the inevitable but try tomake the best of the worst. And though we neither push nordraw into the mysterious domain of occult nature those who areunwilling, and never shrink from expressing our opinions freely and fearlessly, yet we are ever as ready to assist those who come to us ; even to—agnostics who assume the neg-ative position of '' knowing nothing but phenomena and refuse to believe in anything else/* It is true that the married man cannot become an adept, yet without striving^ to become " a Raja Yogi " he can acquire certain powers and do as much good for mankind, and often more, by remaining within the precincts of this world of his. Therefore, shall we not ask you to precipitately change fixed habits of life before the full conviction of its necessity and advantage has possessed you. You are a man to be left to lead himself, and may be so left with safety. Your resolution is taken to deserve much : time will effect the rest. There are more ways than one for acquiring occult knowledge. " Many are the grains of incense destined for one and the same altar : one falls sooner into the fire, the other later—the difference of time is nothing," remarked a great man when he was refused admission and supreme initiation into the mysteries. There is a tone of complaint in your question whether there will ever be a renewal of the vision you had, the night before the picnic day. Methinks, were you to have a vision nightly, you would soon cease to '* treasure '* them at all. But there is a far weightier reason why you should not have a surfeit—it would be a waste of our strength. As often as I, or any of us can communicate with you, whether by dreams, waking impressions, letters (in or out of pillows) or personal visits in astral form—it will be done. But remember that Simla is 7,000 feet higher than Allahabad, and the difficulties to be surmounted at the latter are tremendous. I abstain from encouraging you to expect too much, for, like yourself, I am loathe to promise what, for various reasons, I may not be able to perform. The term " Universal Brotherhood " is no idle phrase. Humanity in the mass has a paramount claim upon us, as I tried to explain in my letter to Mr. Hume, which you had better ask the loan of. It is the only secure foundation for universal morality. If it be a dream, it is at least a noble one for mankind : and it is the aspiration of the true adept.
Yours faithfully,
KooT HooMi Lal Singh
