Judge, William Quan, 1851-1896; Theosophists -- United States -- Correspondence; Theosophy
We have thereby in a sense--its degree determined by the sincerity and
power of our motive--taken ourselves out of the common, vast, moving
herd of men who are living--as to this--like dumb animals, and have
knocked at a door. If we have reverenced our teacher we will now revere
our unknown Guru. We must stand interiorly in a faithful attitude. We
must have an abiding, settled faith that nothing may shake. For it is
to mighty Karma we have appealed, and as the Guru _is Karma_ in the
sense that He never acts against Karma, we must not lose faith for an
instant. For it is this faith that clears up the air there, and that
enables us to get help from all quarters.
Then perhaps this determinant or postulant or neophyte decides for
himself that he will for the time take as teacher or guide some other
chela whose teachings commend themselves. It is not necessary that any
out-spoken words should pass between these two.
But having done this, even in thought, he should then apply himself
diligently _to the doctrine of that teacher_, not changing until he
really finds he has another teacher or has gone to another class. For
if he takes up one merely to dispute and disagree--whether outwardly or
mentally, he is thereby in danger of totally obscuring his own mind.
If he finds himself not clearly understanding, then he should with
faith try to understand, for if he by love and faith vibrates into the
higher meaning of his teacher, his mind is thereby raised, and thus
greater progress is gained.
We now come to the possible case of an aspirant of that royal and
kingly faith who in some way has really found a person who has advanced
far upon _the Path_. To this person he has applied and said: "May I be
accepted, and may I be a chela of either thee or some other?"
That person applied to then perhaps says: "Not to me; but I refer you
to some other of the same class as yourself, and give you to him to
be his chela: serve him." With this the aspirant goes, say to the one
designated, and deliberately both agree to it.
Here is a case where the real Master has recommended the aspirant to
a co-worker who perchance is some grade higher than our neophyte, and
the latter is now in a different position from the many others who are
silently striving and working, and learning from any and all teachers,
but having no specialized Guru for themselves. This neophyte and his
"little guru" are connected by a clear and sacred bond, or else both
are mere lying children, playing and unworthy of attention. If the
"little guru" is true to his trust, he occupies his mind and heart with
it, and is to consider that the chela represents Humanity to him for
the time.
We postulated that this "little guru" was in advance of the chela. It
must then happen that he says that which is sometimes not clear to
his chela. This will all the more be so if his chela is new to the
matter. But the chela has deliberately taken that guru, and must try to
understand _the doctrine of that teacher_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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