THEOSOPHY, Vol. 16, No. 10, August, 1928 (Page 468; Size: 5K)
BETWEEN THE LINESALTHOUGH the theosophical teachings are recorded in plain English, there is much in them that will escape the notice of the casual reader. This is not altogether due to the paucity of the language nor to the mental equipment of the student. That there are various keys to the understanding of any problem has been mentioned by H. P. Blavatsky.
In the fuller exposition of facts set forth, H.P.B. and Mr. Judge sometimes give examples of the use of various keys and in so doing demonstrate their own full knowledge of these keys and the possibility of the acquirement of like knowledge by students. In Judge's introduction to the Bhagavad-Gita we find, "The poem can be read in many different ways, each depending on the view-point taken, e.g., whether it is considered in its application to the individual, or to cosmogenesis, or to the evolution of the Astral(1) World, or the Hierarchies in Nature, or to the moral nature, and so on." That Judge was able to approach the Gita from any of these view-points is shown by his explanations (Notes on the Bhagavad-Gita). In the reading of the poem he could see himself in the speaker as in the one spoken to, could survey the battlefield and its portents from the eyes of Krishna as well as from the eyes of Arjuna, and from the view-points of the spectators and contenders could learn the lesson intended for each, could even combine the features typified by Krishna and Arjuna into one individual and draw our likeness thereby.
The art of reading between the lines was in earlier periods expressed by symbology, but the gradual materialization of all concepts has either altered the significance of the symbols or robbed them of all meaning. Our Teachers, however, could read and interpret the ancient symbols and show us what the symbols concealed from the profane and revealed to the initiates.
As Judge indicates, much depends on the view-point. If one reads the theosophical teachings with the eyes of an enemy he will entirely miss the secrets imparted to students whose minds are open. Some of the least voluminous of theosophical text-books contain much more wisdom than could possibly be bound within the covers of any book, as such. It is not as books that theosophical teachings should be read.
In the study and practice of theosophy one's view-point changes frequently, the symbols give various meanings, and the solution of the formula appears more reasonable and more to be hoped for. Can the study of the teachings make us adepts? Well, let us read between the lines, try all the keys, and abide the results.
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ONE (1) FOOTNOTE LISTED BELOW:COMPILER'S NOTE: I added this footnote; it was not in the article. If it doesn't paint an accurate enough picture, or is incorrect, I hope the Editors of THEOSOPHY magazine will spot it and point it out to me, so that I can make the necessary corrections.
(1) "Astral" means the Electro-Magnetic spectrum at every level. The "Astral Body" is the electromagnetic design body that the physical molecules adhere to in the building up of every form, in every kingdom, on the physical plane. The theosophical "Astral Light" is the "Ether" of modern science. It is the source of the idea known as the "Recording Angel" -- because every thought, word, and deed is recorded, stored, and magnetically reflected back to its source at a dynamically proper time: in other words, when conditions naturally warrant or permit it. We call this Karma, or Lawful action and reaction. All of us are also magnets for imprints in the "Astral Light" which were put there by others and which are similiar to us in character. So we constantly affect and infect each other in this way -- for good or for bad.
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