Produced by Thierry Alberto, Erica Hills, Henry Craig, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net Transcriber's Note: The many inconsistently spelt words in this book (e.g. Samskrit/Sanskrit) have been retained as in the original. ESOTERIC CHRISTIANITY OR THE LESSER MYSTERIES. BY ANNIE BESANT. [SECOND EDITION] The Theosophical Publishing Society. LONDON AND BENARES. 1905. In proceeding to the contemplation of the mysteries of knowledge, we shall adhere to the celebrated and venerable rule of tradition, commencing from the origin of the universe, setting forth those points of physical contemplation which are necessary to be premised, and removing whatever can be an obstacle on the way; so that the ear may be prepared for the reception of the tradition of the Gnosis, the ground being cleared of weeds and fitted for the planting of the vineyard; for there is a conflict before the conflict, and mysteries before the mysteries.--_S. Clement of Alexandria._ Let the specimen suffice to those who have ears. For it is not required to unfold the mystery, but only to indicate what is sufficient.--_Ibid._ He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.--_S. Matthew._ FOREWORD. The object of this book is to suggest certain lines of thought as to the deep truths underlying Christianity, truths generally overlooked, and only too often denied. The generous wish to share with all what is precious, to spread broadcast priceless truths, to shut out none from the illumination of true knowledge, has resulted in a zeal without discretion that has vulgarised Christianity, and has presented its teachings in a form that often repels the heart and alienates the intellect. The command to "preach the Gospel to every creature"[1]--though admittedly of doubtful authenticity--has been interpreted as forbidding the teaching of the Gnosis to a few, and has apparently erased the less popular saying of the same Great Teacher: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine."[2] This spurious sentimentality--which refuses to recognise the obvious inequalities of intelligence and morality, and thereby reduces the teaching of the highly developed to the level attainable by the least evolved, sacrificing the higher to the lower in a way that injures both--had no place in the virile common sense of the early Christians. S. Clement of Alexandria says quite bluntly, after alluding to the Mysteries: "Even now I fear, as it is said, 'to cast the pearls before swine, lest they tread them underfoot, and turn and rend us.' For it is difficult to exhibit the really pure and transparent words respecting the true Light to swinish and untrained hearers."[3]