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Preface
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The purpose of
this book is exactly expressed in its title, "The Key to Theosophy,"
and needs but few words of explanation. It is not a complete or exhaustive
text book of Theosophy, but only a key to unlock the door that leads to
the deeper study. It traces the broad outlines of the Wisdom Religion,
and explains its fundamental principles; meeting, at the same time, the
various objec- tions raised by the average Western enquirer, and endeavoring
to present unfamiliar concepts in a form as simple and in language as clear
as possible. That it should succeed in making Theosophy intelligible
without mental effort on the part of the reader, would be too much to expect;
but it is hoped that the obscurity still left is of the thought not of
the language, is due to depth not to confusion. To the mentally lazy
or obtuse, Theosophy must remain a riddle; for in the world mental as in
the world spiritual each man must progress by his own efforts. The
writer cannot do the reader's thinking for him, nor would the latter be
any the better off if such vicarious thought were possible. The need
for such an exposition as the present has long been felt among those interested
in the Theosophical Society and its work, and it is hoped that it will
supply information, as free as possible from technicalities, to many whose
attention has been awakened, but who, as yet, are merely puzzled and not
convinced.
Some care has been taken in disentangling
some part of what is true from what is false in spirit- ualistic teachings
as to the post-mortem life, and to showing the true nature of spiritualistic
phenomena. Previous explanations of a similar kind have drawn much
wrath upon the writer's devoted head; the Spiritualists, like too many
others, prefer to believe what is pleasant rather than what is true, and
become very angry with anyone who destroys an agreeable delusion.
For the past year Theosophy has been the target for every poisoned arrow
of Spiritualism, as though the possessors of a half truth felt more antagonism
to the possessor of the whole truth than those who had no share to boast
of.
Very hearty thanks are due from
the author to many Theosophists who have sent suggestions and questions,
or have otherwise contributed help during the writing of this book.
The work will be the more useful for their aid, and that will be their
best reward. -- H. P. B.
