A Primer of Theosophy
by Katharine Hillard
This letter of encouragement is applicable to anyone seeking advice. It was written by the Editor of Theosophical Quarterly, W.Q. Judge’s closest friend, Clement A. Griscom Jr. Katharine Hillard’s article which follows was recommended.
March 10th, 1912
Dear ___________
If I understand your question aright, the answer is very simple. Those who would learn to live the higher life must work as those do who are ambitious, but they must not become absorbed in their work. They must try just as hard; they must do every duty, whether to their business or their family or their country, just as carefully and as thoroughly as if their whole life and interest lay in those directions; but they must also not work for results. They must be willing to see their efforts end in failure. They must be willing to stop any special work at any moment and go on to another, with the same zest, the same carefulness, the same conscientiousness.
We learn through the tests and trials which life itself brings us. These are just the trials and tests which are needed to bring out our natures; otherwise we should have other kinds of trials and tests. We need not seek for special tests, for life will bring us plenty in the ordinary course of events.
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You should not have any fear whatever that an effort for discipleship will in the least interfere with your duties to your family. On the contrary there is nothing which is more insisted upon than that all the duties of the outer life must be most carefully and thoroughly performed, not neglecting a single one of them. How could it be otherwise? Do you suppose that the Masters would accept a service which was possible only because you had taken time, strength and money from those to whom you owe it, to give to them? On the contrary you have been put into just the place they want you to be in, with just the duties and obligations which will best help to develop the highest part of you.
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Permit me to say that Theosophy has no limits. Those who have been connected with it longest and have gone farthest, say that all they have done is to open up vistas of possible attainment ahead. It is necessary to gain recruits for the Great Lodge; therefore our great ambition should be to become disciples of the Master who is at the head of our Ray. This is not a personal ambition, because it cannot be attained until we kill out all sense of self. Our self-will must be eliminated before a Master can accept us as a disciple. Remember that we can be pupils of a Master long before we can be disciples. This latter state is not one that depends upon our desire more the Master’s desire. It depends absolutely upon what we actually are. In occultism we must really be a thing before we can be recognized as in that grade.
I write these things to you because your future progress depends entirely upon yourself. It is not a question of “passing examinations,” nor even of study; it is a question of living the life and becoming fit to be a disciple. Just as soon as you are, you will find the Master waiting to welcome you. He is much more anxious that you should reach him than you are to reach him. It is a question of personal development; of purification; of the conquest of selfishness and self-will in all their forms. I wish you every good fortune and all possible help on your journey, and I shall be glad to answer questions and to be of any assistance which it is my power to give.
I note with interest what you say about your habit of meditation and study; also that you hope to help get up a small and popular book on Theosophy. There is a great demand for such a book, but you will find it very difficult to write. We have tried many times, and just as present we are publishing in the Theosophical Quarterly a series of articles called “A Primer of Theosophy, which was designed for just such a purpose, and which we expect to republish in pamphlet form. Perhaps this little work will be of help to you.
With kindest regards and best wishes,
I am,
Fraternally,
C.A. Griscom.
Theosophical Quarterly, April 1927, Vol. 24, pp.364-365
