knowledge, and the study of the Lesser Mysteries must precede that of the Greater. The Greater will never be published through the printing-press; they can only be given by Teacher to pupil, "from mouth to ear." But the Lesser Mysteries, the partial unveiling of deep truths, can even now be restored, and such a volume as the present is intended to outline these, and to show the nature of the teachings which have to be mastered. Where only hints are given, quiet meditation on the truths hinted at will cause their outlines to become visible, and the clearer light obtained by continued meditation will gradually show them more fully. For meditation quiets the lower mind, ever engaged in thinking about external objects, and when the lower mind is tranquil then only can it be illuminated by the Spirit. Knowledge of spiritual truths must be thus obtained, from within and not from without, from the divine Spirit whose temple we are[4] and not from an external Teacher. These things are "spiritually discerned" by that divine indwelling Spirit,
that "mind of Christ," whereof speaks the Great Apostle,[5] and that inner light is shed upon the lower mind.
This is the way of the Divine Wisdom, the true Theosophy. It is not, as some think, a diluted version of Hinduism, or Buddhism, or Taoism, or of any special religion. It is Esoteric Christianity as truly as it is Esoteric Buddhism, and belongs equally to all religions, exclusively to none. This is the source of the suggestions made in this little volume, for the helping of those who seek the Light—that "true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,"[6] though most have not yet opened their eyes to it. It does not bring the Light. It only says: "Behold the Light!" For thus have we heard. It appeals only to the few who hunger for more than the exoteric teachings give them. For those who are fully satisfied with the exoteric teachings, it is not intended; for why should bread be forced on those who are not hungry? For those who hunger, may it prove bread, and not a stone.
CONTENTS.
| Foreword, | [vii] |
| Chapter I. | |
| The Hidden Side of Religions. | [1] |
| Chapter II. | |
| The Hidden Side of Christianity. | [36] |
| Chapter III. | |
| The Hidden Side of Christianity. (concluded) | [69] |
| Chapter IV. | |
| The Historical Jesus. | [120] |
| Chapter V. | |
| The Mythic Christ. | [145] |
| Chapter VI. | |
| The Mystic Christ. | [170] |
| Chapter VII. | |
| The Atonement. | [193] |
| Chapter VIII. | |
| Resurrection and Ascension. | [231] |
| Chapter IX. | |
| The Trinity. | [253] |
| Chapter X. | |
| Prayer. | [276] |
| Chapter XI. | |
| The Forgiveness of Sins. | [301] |
| Chapter XII. | |
| Sacraments. | [324] |
| Chapter XIII. | |
| Sacraments. | [346] |
| Chapter XIV. | |
| Revelation. | [369] |
| Afterword. | [386] |
| Index. | [388] |
| Footnotes. | [405] |