Zirkoff B. - Appendix (BCW vol.8): Difference between revisions

“Once, as I sat alone writing, a mysterious Visitor entered my study unannounced, and stood beside me. I forgot to ask who he was or why he entered so unceremoniously, for he began to tell me of the Gates of Gold. He spoke from knowledge, and from the fire of his speech I caught faith. I have written down his words; but alas, I cannot hope that the fire shall burn as brightly in my writing as in his speech.

{{Style P-Signature in capitals|M.C.”}}

“Blessings! Were we to employ in our service a man of no intelligence, we would have to point out to him, as you say in the West, chapter and verse, i.e., give him special assignments and definite orders; but a mind like yours, with a background of much experience, can find the way by itself, when given a hint in regard to the direction which leads to the goal. Make for yourself a clear picture of what a man is, in what relation this particular life stands to the sum-total of his former existences, and that his future is entirely within his own power, and you will not be in doubt any longer as to what you should do. ... I placed in H. S. Olcott’s head the idea to suggest to you to come {{Page aside|445}}here. Remain in Asia. Take part in the work of the Theosophical Society. Make known without reservations the principles of the philosophy which speaks the loudest in your own heart. Help others, so that you may be helped yourself. . . . Live according to the highest Ideal of Manhood. Think and work. In this lie the conditions of satisfaction for both yourself and others. . . .

{{Style P-Signature in capitals|M.”}}

“...Let me give you an advice. Never offer yourself as a chela, but wait until chelaship descends by itself upon you. Above all, try to find yourself, and the path of knowledge will open itself before you, and this so much the easier as you have made a contact with the Light-ray of the Blessed one, whose name you have now taken as your spiritual lode-star. . . Receive in advance my blessings and my thanks.

Reference is here made to the fact of Dr. Hartmann becoming a Buddhist, December 26, 1883. There was in the same envelope a photograph, cabinet-size, of the Master’s face, with a dedication to Hartmann on the back of it.<ref>Cf. ''Report, etc.'', pp. 29-30; ''Journal of the T.S.'', March, 1884, p. 53; letter of Dr. Hartmann to W. Q. Judge, ''The Path'', Vol. X, p. 191.</ref>

“It is my wish therefore, that she shall continue in charge of the household business, the Board of Control of course exercising a proper supervisory control and seeing in consultation with her, that no unnecessary expenditure is incurred. A good deal of {{Page aside|447}}reform is necessary, and can be made rather with the help than the antagonism of Madame Coulomb. Dämodar would have told you this but his mind was purposely obscured, without his knowledge, to test your intuitions. Show this to Mad. C. so that she may co-operate with you.

The fifth letter, also from K.H., was precipitated April 1st, 1884, before Hartmann’s own eyes on a blank sheet of paper lying on the table at the time.<ref>''Journal, etc.'', July, 1884, p. 100.</ref>

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“...Keep all said above in strictest confidence, if you would be strongest. Let her not suspect you know it, but if you would have my advice be prudent. Yet act without delay.

The eighth was a letter from Master M. and concerned W. Q. Judge’s trip to India. Its date is given by Hartmann as July 30, 1884, which is most likely wrong, as Judge left Europe end of June and arrived in Bombay July 15, 1884. An excerpt from it preserved in German translation reads as follows in its most likely English rendering:

“...There are letters which show that she[Mme. Coulomb] tried to persuade Upåsika that the reason why you wish to banish her and Monsieur C. is that you are in command over the situation, and wish to deliver the Society in the hands of the Spiritualists. ... Be friendly towards W. Q. Judge. He is true, faithful and trustworthy. . .

The ninth letter is of August 2, 1884, and is from Master K.H.; its original is in the Adyar Archives; its text throws some light on certain peculiarities of Dämodar, and tends to explain why Dr. Hartmann had some misunderstandings with him. The letter says:

“Dämodar has undoubtedly many faults and weaknesses as others have. But he is unselfishly devoted to us and to the Cause, and has rendered himself extremely useful to Upåsika. His presence and assistance are indispensably necessary at the Headquarters. His inner self has no desire to domineer, though the outward acts now and then get that colouring from his excessive zeal which he indiscriminately brings to bear upon everything, whether small or great. It must however be remembered that inadequate as our ‘instruments’ may be, to our full purpose, they are yet the best available since they are but the evolutions of the times. It would be most desirable to have better ‘mediums’ for us to act thro; and it rests with the well-wishers of the Theosophical Cause how far they will work unselfishly to assist in her higher work and thus hasten the approach of the eventful day. Blessings to all the faithful workers at the Headquarters.

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“...An infinite field of activity lies before you; the whole world is open to you. . . . Great obstacles are to be overcome; the greater is the power required to overcome them, the greater is the growth that comes from it. A constant restraint of passions, a sleepless watch over, and patient forbearance of, human weaknesses, will help towards victory.

After H. P. B. and party had reached Europe in the Spring of 1885, Dr. Hartmann remained with her at Naples and at Torre del Greco. When H. P. B. moved to Würzburg, he first went to Munich, to see his sister, Countess von Spreti, then to Kempten, in Bavaria, to visit his relatives and to have a look at the place where he had spent his youth. Subsequently he visited H. P. B., both at Würzburg and in London. He had a symbolic dream during the night following her passing, in which he saw an eagle returning to its home in the sky.