him to carry. Without ever becoming a "Mahâtmâ," a Buddha, or a Great
Saint, let him study the philosophy and the "Science of Soul," and he
can become one of the modest benefactors of humanity, without any
"superhuman" powers. _Siddhis_ (or the Arhat powers) are only for those
who are able to "lead the life," to comply with the terrible sacrifices
required for such a training, and to comply with them _to the very
letter_. Let them know at once and remember always, that _true Occultism
or Theosophy_ is the "Great Renunciation of SELF," unconditionally and
absolutely, in thought as in action. It is ALTRUISM, and it throws him
who practises it out of calculation of the ranks of the living
altogether. "Not for himself, but for the world, he lives," as soon as
he has pledged himself to the work. Much is forgiven during the first
years of probation. But, no sooner is he "accepted" than his
personality must disappear, and he has to become _a mere beneficent
force in Nature_. There are two poles for him after that, two paths, and
no midward place of rest. He has either to ascend laboriously, step by
step, often through numerous incarnations and _no Devachanic break_, the
golden ladder leading to Mahâtmâship (the _Arhat_ or _Bodhisattva_
condition), or--he will let himself slide down the ladder at the first
false step, and roll down into _Dugpa-ship_....

All this is either unknown or left out of sight altogether. Indeed, one
who is able to follow the silent evolution of the preliminary
aspirations of the candidates, often finds strange ideas quietly taking
possession of their minds. There are those whose reasoning powers have
been so distorted by foreign influences that they imagine that animal
passions can be so sublimated and elevated that their fury, force, and
fire can, so to speak, be turned inwards; that they can be stored and
shut up in one's breast, until their energy is, not expanded, but
turned toward higher and more holy purposes; namely, _until their