The bridging of this gap, however, has been rendered more difficult than it should have been; first, by the failure of the T. S. as a living spiritual force in the world; and second, by the sinister activities of this "ill-omened partnership" which almost immediately followed. The whole tragic and dreadful history, fragments only of which I have been able to give in this brief examination, proves what incalculable harm "Leadbeaterism" is working on the minds of the rising generation. Not only is he the virtual director of Mrs. Besant's Society, but he has completely infected her mind with his soul-destroying teachings. Hers is the real responsibility, therefore[24]; and hers the karma of ruining H. P. B.'s life-work, and carrying with her in her fall thousands upon thousands of honest, but too credulous and easily deceived souls along the broad and flowery road "leading to destruction."
As H. P. B. says in concluding her "Occultism versus the Occult Arts":—"If, while turning their backs on the narrow gate, they are dragged by their desire for the Occult one step in the direction of the broad and more inviting Gates of that golden mystery which glitters in the light of illusion, woe to them! It can lead only to Dugpa-ship, and they will be sure to find themselves very soon landed on that Via Fatale of the Inferno, over whose portal Dante read the words:—
"Per me si va nella cittᡤolente
Per me si va nell'eterno dolore
Per me si va tra la perduta gente."
FOOTNOTES:
[21] How "unexpected" was the manner of her passing may be gathered from the fact that she was, at that very time, building a little "occult" room next to her own, of a particular shape and structure, in which each of her pupils was to "sit"—alone—"for development," under special conditions and "under observation." The tiny roof was to be of dark blue glass, of which I still possess a small piece of the colour H. P. B. had finally selected.
[22] These orders are here reproduced exactly as printed in the E. S. paper. It should be noted that the one relating to Mr. Judge is in larger type than the other. The triangle formed of asterisks ⁂ after the words "regard are to be given" indicates that H. P. B. is there endorsed by an Initiate of a higher grade. It will also be noticed that the dots forming the triangle after her signature differ in size in the two orders. In a note in the Voice of the Silence to the words "Thyself and mind, like twins upon a line, the star which is thy goal burns overhead" H. P. B. says "Every stage of development in Raja-Yoga is symbolised by a geometrical figure. This one is the sacred Triangle [i.e.,∴] and precedes Dharana. The Δ is the sign of the high chelas, while another kind of triangle is that of high Initiates." The ∴ is also used in Freemasonry to denote certain high degrees.]
[23] It is only fair to give Mrs. Tingley's Organisation credit for the good work it is doing in publishing accurate reprints of H. P. B.'s works with all the references carefully checked, but none of her own writing tampered with. Now that the 1888 edition of The Secret Doctrine is so scarce, students will be glad to know that an unaltered reprint can now be had instead of the Besant corruption. The reprint of Isis Unveiled, with the addition of an excellent Index, has long been wanted; and the original paging has been preserved, so that the Index also serves for the original edition. It is to be regretted that these reprints are prefaced by an account of the Theosophical Movement from Mrs. Tingley's point of view, which is inaccurate and misleading. However, this is easily removed.
[24] In a letter from a Master to a friend occur these words:—"You are responsible for the influence that you permit others to exert over you."