Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom: A Commentary on The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
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Joy Mills is famous in the Theosophical Society Adyar for her in depth study of these letters. She's been leading Mahatma Letters study groups for decades. As she's in her eighties, I think it's very lucky she decided to gather all that wisdom and knowledge into a book, so when she passes, her insights and encyclopedic knowledge don't pass with her.
That said, Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom: A Commentary on The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
is no book to take up lightly. It's written as a companion to the Chronological edition of the Mahatma Letters and is meant to be used as a study guide. That is: you'll be reading and rereading the original text trying to understand the commentary. This is not Joy Mills' fault. The fact is simply that the original letters are very complicated. The Masters taught on the basis of questions - letting the students draw them out. This lead to fragmentary material.This problem was exacerbated by the fact that the masters were bound by the rules of their esoteric school to not give out more than was allowed. This secrecy goes against the very fabric of Western ideas of what's proper and right, but is essential to the esoteric way of looking at truth. There are several reasons for such secrecy, one being that the ultimate truths simply can't be understood by someone who isn't ready for them. Compare it to the inability of most primary students to understand university level mathematics. But it's also perhaps clear that if we let the primary student decide what math they want to learn, they may not end up with the most balanced list of mathematical skills.
Still, from an esoteric perspective this is the right way to teach, because by drawing the teacher out, the student is forced to really digest what he's learned and ASK for the next thing to be learned. That repeated knocking on the door of the Masters is essential to the way the masters work - or so one can gather from the Mahatma Letters.
Studying the Mahatma Letters
As I read the book, I felt myself drawn into the world of the Mahatma Letters as I was in my late teens and early twenties. Or in the words of Joy Mills herself, in her conclusion (p. 537):
The letters are redolent with the atmosphere of another world, a domain of consciousness that calls us onward to deeper and more comprehensive knowing. As we read with growing inner perception, we may become aware of stepping even momentarily "out of our world into theirs," glimpsing however dimly a realm of truth and beauty unparalleled in our ordinary existence. For a little while, we seem to walk with them, Masters of Wisdom and compassion, Mahatmas, great souls, Brothers, knowers of "every first truth," who are ever sending out upon the world blessings of light and love and benediction of their presence."
More about the Mahatmas and their letters
I have to have it said though: personally I believe that the Mahatmas ARE capable of strange occult feats. Having read the literature, I also believe that at least in some cases ordinary explanations just don't cut it. In other words: something paranormal was going on.
That said, the content of the material is way more important than they way it was produced.
- Madame Blavatsky and the Mahatma Letters, by Hugh Shearman - Theosophical History
- In 1885 the Society for Psychical Research published the report of a committee appointed to investigate "phenomena connected with the Theosophical Society". The report was mainly concerned with the writing and delivery of what have been called the Mahatma Letters and Madame Blavatsky 's connection with this. The committee did not itself actually do the investigating at first hand, but relied upon the reports of Mr. Richard Hodgson. The committee's report ended with the words, "For our part, we regard her (Madame Blavatsky) neither as the mouthpiece of hidden Seers, nor as mere vulgar adventures; we think that she has achieved a title to permanent remembrance as one of the most accomplished, ingenious and interesting imposters in history".
- Blavatsky a medium? about consciousness, channeling and more | Theosophy
- What sparked this blogpost was a seemingly simple question: wasn't Blavatsky a medium? and if so, why was she opposed to mediumship?
- H.P. Blavatsky's Phenomena, Did she forge the Mahatma Letters?
- A look at one of the most puzzling occult phenomena surrounding H.P. Blavatsky.
- Last letter from Mahatma Koot Hoomi to Annie Besant.
- In the Esoteric Studies Guide- this historical letter.
- Jiddu Krishnamurti's Clairvoyance and relationship to the theosophical Masters
- Krishnamurti was clairvoyant and even at the end of his life did not deny meeting the Master Koot Hoomi.
- Mahatmas - who are the ultimate spiritual teachers?
- Esoteric Studies Guide: about the goal of spiritual growth
Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom, Joy Mills
A Commentary on The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom: A Commentary on The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
Amazon Price: $24.70 (as of 02/13/2012)
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Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom:
A Commentary on The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett by Joy Mills
Reflections on an Ageless Wisdom: A Commentary on The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
Amazon Price: $24.70 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buy in Europe (Amazon.co.uk)
Modern Theosophy expresses the ancient wisdom tradition found in all religions. When H. P. Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society in 1875, told English journalist A. P. Sinnett she had gained her paranormal knowledge from more evolved beings called the Mahatmas, Sinnett asked to communicate with them himself. The result was a remarkable correspondence carried on from 1880 to 1885 with Mahatmas Khoot Hoomi and Morya. Recorded in The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, the answers of these Teachers form an essential part of Theosophical literature. At the time, the Letters stormed the bastions of racial and religious prejudice, and they continue to fascinate those seeking to probe the mysteries of the universe and the nature of consciousness. Here is the most comprehensive, magisterial discussion of The Mahatma Letters since they were first published in 1924.
The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett: In Chronological Sequence
Vincente Hao Chin (Editor)
The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett: In Chronological Sequence
Amazon Price: $61.20 (as of 02/13/2012)
Buy in Europe (Amazon.co.uk)
The edition Joy Mills' book is written as a companion to. You will need to read and reread this book to understand even half it contains.
