Tim Boyd – India, USA
Tim Boyd, International President ...
... motivated, profound, heading a Movement in motion
The Mahatma Letters were not written with the intention that one day they would be published. In fact, it was the express desire of the Masters that they not be published. From their perspective, the letters were an incomplete attempt to address specific issues in the growth and unfoldment of A. P. Sinnett, and of the Theosophical Society (TS) at that time. The sense was that such a partial expression of the wisdom teachings would only serve to confuse. In the letters, it was suggested that H. P. Blavatsky’s (HPB) The Secret Doctrine (SD), when written, would provide a more complete view of their philosophy and point of view. The SD was published and, years later, so were the Letters of the Masters. Although many people objected to their publication at the time, they have become a treasure for those of us who have come after. A brief quote from one of those letters, written by the Master Koot Hoomi (KH), talks about spiritual unfoldment:
An Adept is the rare efflorescence of a generation of inquirers; and to become one he must obey the inward impulse of his soul irrespective of prudential considerations of worldly science and sagacity. (ML) Letter No.2, chron. ed.)
There is no doubt that KH had an extensive vocabulary and would use it in his writings. Our job is to “unpack” his words. The quote is a very brief statement not only about the nature of an Adept, but also about the path that leads to this state, and the conditions that must be addressed. All that in one sentence. An Adept, according to HPB, is described as: “A person whose physical, mental, moral, psychic, and spiritual organization have been developed to the highest, the uttermost level.” We think of this as the Masters of the Wisdom. In the very long run, over evolutionary expanses of time, all of humanity will ultimately attain to that level of unfoldment. Hastening that unfoldment is the focus of the theosophical teachings.
So, what is meant by the “rare efflorescence”? Another way of saying it is, the rare flowering of a generation of inquirers. All the kingdoms of Nature have their highest expressions. In the plant kingdom, it is the flower. In the mineral kingdom, precious metals and jewels are the highest expressions. For human beings, its flowering is the Adept, but this flower grows out from the soil of “a generation of inquirers”. From a normal point of view, an inquirer is any person who asks questions. Normal types of questions are looking for information or knowledge about some subject. But there is a deeper meaning than that. Not everybody who asks a question is focused on the path toward adeptship. It is the nature of the question, and more so, the nature of the process of questioning that identifies the type of inquirer to which the Master refers in his letter.
There is a form of inquiry that is not about talk, or getting answers. It involves a meditative process of looking deeply, which reveals answers, but also reveals deeper questions. This inquiry process is not merely about quizzing somebody about something. It is something more. In the little book, Light on the Path, there are three passages that speak directly to inquiry. The first passage tells us that at an advanced stage of the path, we must “Inquire of the earth, air, and water of the secrets they hold for you”.
The statement is made that at the stage of the path where such a question is relevant, we have already cultivated the inner senses to be able to ask and perceive. Earth, air, and water are elements, foundational components of life. They exist in both visible and invisible states, and could be said to be the perceptible aspects of an exalted intelligence specific to each one. The inquiry is not intended to be made of simply the visible expression. It is not being suggested that one stand and inquire of a glass of water, or a lighted candle for its secrets. This has to be interpreted in order to engage in the process, but it can only be meaningful to one who has unfolded the capacity to ask and to hear.
The book goes on to say: “Inquire of the Holy Ones of the Earth of the secrets they hold for you.” Again, we have to ask ourselves what that means. Who are the Holy Ones of the Earth? Is this talking about the Masters or some other level of “Holiness”. Clearly, there are Holy Ones to whom we direct our inquiries, and who hold some secret that is not yet revealed within our consciousness. The final inquiry is “Inquire of the inmost, the One, of the final secret which it holds for you through the ages”. When the Master speaks about a generation of inquirers, this is the inquiry from which the adept, the rare flower, arises.
One of the ideas expressed in this brief quote is that this path involves attention to the “inward impulse of the soul”. In the process of becoming there is a necessary obedience to the prompting of the soul. Obedience involves submission to another who is in some way superior to oneself. In this case, it is the soul.
The child submits to the will of the parent, the ruled to the will of the ruler. The inward impulse of the soul is that voice that comes to one who is on this pathway toward Adeptship, who finds a way to hear, and then to listen.
So what is the inward impulse? The soul, the Higher Self, has a theosophical definition — that amalgam of higher mind (manas) and intuition (buddhi). That combination does not die with each death, but continues taking on body after body in future lives. The soul has certain qualities and predispositions. As we become sensitive to the impulses of the soul, and as we find that they are in harmony with a deeper growth, we learn to submit. Where we see an indication of unity, we move in that direction; where there is peace and compassionate activity, we are impelled. At a certain stage of our unfoldment, we find ourselves pushed to move in those directions, to connect ourselves with expressions of soulful living. On the path to adeptship we first learn to perceive, then move inward in response to the impulse of the soul. In HPB’s “Golden Stairs”, it is expressed as “A willing obedience to the behests of Truth”.
The advice from the Master closes with a caution. One must engage in this unfoldment process “irrespective of prudential considerations of worldly science and sagacity.” It is asking a lot to say that one must proceed without taking the strong voice of worldly science into consideration. While we cannot disregard the voice and achievements of the scientific community, we have to acknowledge its limits. The view of contemporary science on this process of unfolding consciousness (an acknowledged, but scientifically incomprehensible component of being) and soul, whose very existence is scientifically unsupportable, cannot be a factor in this “flowering” process. It is common sense advice. One’s car mechanic has definite knowledge, and may claim to know all there is, but you don’t consult him for advice on brain surgery.
Although it is compact, the Master’s advice is strong. We do not really understand this flowering process. Certainly, we do not control it, but hints on how we can engage in it are valuable, if not for our present state, maybe for the future. It is an advice about a profound freedom which requires what J. Krishnamurti described as “freedom from the known”.
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This article was also published in The Theosophist, VOL. 146 NO. 8 MAY 2025
The Theosophist is the official organ of the International President, founded by H. P. Blavatsky on 1 Oct. 1879.
To read the MAY 2025 issue click HERE