[Page 1] FEW things are more striking to those who visit different lands than the working and success of the Theosophical Society among people widely separated, not only in geographical position but in language, manners and customs. The earnestness with which pious souls in all parts of the world join hands in devoting themselves to its service, and the cordial response its central ideas find in the hearts of people placed amidst outer surroundings so vastly varied, almost prove the cardinal Theosophic teaching of the common origin of man. For these facts do lead one to the thought that underneath the variety of strata which constitute the outer forms in which men live and have their being, there is a deep and perennial spring, the waters of which permeate through all hearts and in all ages.

The spiritual truths of which the Theosophical Society is the latest exponent are as old as humanity itself and have their roots in the very center of being, but they first blossomed forth into concrete ideas that the intellect of man may handle, however imperfectly [Page 2] in the genial soil and the spiritual atmosphere of the East. Hence it is that the East has ever been the fountain-head from which have flowed all the great religious systems of the world, and people in all ages have turned their faces to the East and its mysteries for the solution of the great problems of life and being. It is therefore only right and proper that the study of Oriental literature and religions should form an important part of the work of the Theosophical Society, for in them lie buried the sublime truths which modern Theosophy is attempting to bring back to life all over the world. Natural enough is it in me, then, to feel pride, as a Hindû, in the success of a movement that reflects glory on the wonderful legacy left us by our holy ancestors, but which we in our lethargy had allowed to rust away in comparative oblivion.

But apart from any feeling of personal gratification, I look upon the Theosophical Society as a direct link connecting the outer lifeless world of petty trivialities, magnified into serious undertakings by our short-sighted ignorance, with that beauteous world of spirit wherein breathe life and joy eternal. It is a veritable life-boat to carry one, if devoted and resolute, across the high seas of materialism and delusion to the haven of rest and peace, and I often wonder that a great many more people do not enter this vessel of safety so close at hand. And yet there are many among us who know by actual experience what a comfort it is to [Page 3] have found a place of rest and security amidst the conflicting tenets of exoteric religions, the distracting doctrines of rival philosophical systems and the harrowing worries of a soulless, colorless materialistic life. In the West, where the tide of materialism runs high and where the life of sense seems almost to have swallowed up the life of the Soul, the Theosophical Society is a blessing, the nature and extent of which will be better appreciated by the unborn generations who will enjoy the fruits of the unselfish labors of the present workers. But even in India, the home of spiritual aspirations, the one country in the world where for ages untold the spiritual fire has been kept aglow in spite of all outer changes, which dimmed its brilliance indeed but never succeeded in putting it out altogether; even in this sacred land the Theosophical Society has proved the salvation of the people. The difference that one notices in the national feeling of reverence for things spiritual during the last two decades is nothing short of a miracle. In spite of the light of sacred literature and holy traditions that might have proved a flaring beacon, my countrymen were slowly but surely drifting towards the rock of materialism, on which the wealth of their dearest and fondest spiritual possessions was going to be wrecked, until there appeared on the scene two remarkable figures that worked a miraculous change in the current of Indian national thought. One of these two striking individualities has cast off the body in [Page 4] which the world knew her, but has left enough of influence and power behind her to vivify the movement which was dearer to her than life itself. The other personality is happily still at the head of the movement, and to me it is a real pleasure to see the familiar figure of the veteran Colonel who has done so much towards the uplifting of India, presiding over this assembly today. Many are the hearts that bless him for his noble work, and pray that he may live long to continue it.

What the Theosophical Society has done for India is marvelous, but its work in the West will prove even a greater wonder; and it is hoped that a day will come when it will bring the nations of the West to a keener perception of the reality of the spiritual world, in the light of which the glare of the material world will pale. The work will naturally be slower than in India, because in the latter case it consisted in merely directing the attention of the people to what was already familiar to them, although neglected, whereas in the West it means the instilling of unfamiliar truths into minds not fitted either by heredity or study to an easy recognition of spiritual verities. And precisely because the ground to be traversed by the western nations is comparatively new and untried, it behoves them to take each step with thought and care. It would show practical wisdom in them to profit by the long and accumulated experience of eastern nations that have been over the ground before, and are [Page 5] therefore familiar with the various precipices and pits where it is perilously easy to fall.

My decision to say a few words in this Convention has been greatly influenced by the hope of my being able to warn you against a danger that lies ahead, and which may be averted if its nature be thoroughly understood. In my travels in Europe and America I have been struck by the wide and deep interest that has been aroused of late in matters spiritual, but, like the thorn by the side of the rose, I have noticed lurking in the minds of people a great leaning towards the production and witnessing of psychical phenomena. This constant endeavour to bring about conditions that would favour startling results is the natural adjunct to the weakness in human nature that makes people grasp at fruits before they are ripe, and it seems to me to be peculiarly characteristic of the feverish rush of the present-day civilisation that people should always attempt to discover short cuts to distinction, without developing the patience to work steadily for the timely fruition of their efforts. It is not, therefore; to be wondered at that some, in their pursuit of the true goal, which is Divine, should be tempted away into the bypaths of psychical rubbish.

We are all aware of the broad distinction between the spiritual and the astral planes, and it is hardly necessary to remind you that all the so-called phenomena pertain to the astral plane, bearing little affinity to the spiritual. It is true that the spiritual [Page 6] world is not easily comprehensible, and that its realities are difficult to grasp for minds accustomed to work in material grooves. It is also true that the astral plane being more closely allied to the physical, it is much easier for people to get into conscious touch with the details of this plane, and to translate them in terms of everyday experience on the physical plane. But those who have set before themselves the ideal of serving God and man by attaining purity and perfection, should not be allured by the false glamour of acquiring easily a few powers not possessed by their neighbours, so as to look big in their eyes, not to speak of the numberless unknown dangers that beset the path of one who strays into the mãyãvic regions of the astral plane without the guiding light of true spiritual insight. Truly such a person is like a frail boat cast on a stormy sea without mast or rudder.

Perhaps, I ought to add one word of consolation for those too whom the dream of abnormal powers persistently allures. All that the psychic sees and craves for — aye, much more — is revealed to the ken of the enlightened seer, not in the ignis fatuus gleam [Page 12] that flits across the psychic's vision, but in the bright sunshine of calm and mature knowledge where every chance of a false step is eliminated, and the power to control all the tremendous forces at work in the astral plane has been gained. But in this path powers come not to satisfy idle curiosity or to serve the purpose of self-aggrandisement, but only for the helping of fellow-beings; and blessed is the person to whom such gifts are given without his craving for them, so that he may lay them as a sacrifice at the altar of the God within, his own eyes ever turned to the feet of the Lord, to serve whom forms the sole object and aspiration of his life. For such a one fall is impossible; for truly is it said in our Scriptures; "Those who mount dizzy heights by austere practices, fancying themselves liberated but being really unenlightened because lacking in devotion to Thee, 0 lotus-eyed One ! fall into a chasm, not having loved Thy feet. Never so, however, Thy own, 0 Mãdhava, stray away from the Path, being tied to Thee by bonds of affection; and guarded by Thee they walk fearlessly, their feet on the heads of all enemies."