CHAPTER XL

FAULTS TO BE GUARDED AGAINST
When a person who comes into the study of Theosophy begins to see its power and beauty in re-shaping the lives of those who endeavor to prac- tice its precepts, it is not strange that he should become enthusiastic in his efforts to interest others in it, or that he should develop a strong feeling of partisanship for it.
But in this direction lies a subtle danger — the danger of becoming dog- matic and thus stifling spiritual growth. Whoever falls into that error has put an end to his own progress. It is true that Theosophy is a study of life so comprehensive in its sublime reach
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that it includes all religions; but this very fact should teach the student tol- erance, rather than give him a feeling that Theosophy is the only thing need- ed for the salvation of the world. It should not be forgotten that until a person has reached a certain point in human evolution Theosophy can do nothing for him — cannot even arrest his attention — and that he reaches that particular point in his development through some of the religious or philo- sophical movements from which he finally graduates into Theosophy. Therefore the organized moral and intellectual movements of various kinds that fill the world bear somewhat the relationship to Theosophy that private and public schools of all descriptions bear to the university. For a student of occultism to assume the attitude which indicates a belief that Theosophy is a thing to supplant all religious de- nominations— that it is the one and
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only thing required by humanity — would be much like insisting that all common schools be raised tomorrow to the university level. One of the really beautiful things about Theosophy is its breadth and tolerance ; and it is only when its devotees shape their course by that spirit of tolerance that progress is possible for them. The- osophy is ' not a thing that requires partisanship. It wins its way by its inherent reasonableness, not by the ve- hemence with which it is urged.
The disposition to too strongly argue the benefits of Theosophy is an error to be avoided. We have only to ob- serve one orthodox religionist arguing the superiority of his denomination to all others to know how ineffective it is with his opponent, who is equally sure of the superiority of his faith. Neither of them is learning anything. Each is only wondering why the other insists upon using more than his share
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of the time! Now, the student of occultism should never permit himself to drop into that antagonistic mental condition. It is an attitude that closes the mind to truth. The reverse of that mental condition should be character- istic of the occult student. He should always be receptive to truth. He should, indeed, be always eagerly alert for a new idea, for a new point of view from which to look at any par- ticular fact. He should not be as one who has a certain doctrine to defend and is always suspicious of any new fact or idea, his first feeling being a fear that it may endanger his belief. One's first thought should not be "Does this new idea support my the- ory" but "Is it true?" It is only by such an attitude of mind that truth can be recognized when it is encoun- tered and the student of occultism is, above all things, a truth seeker. He has nothing to fear about any possible
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antagonism between his belief and the facts. He knows that if there is any apparent disagreement there is some- thing wrong either with his conception of theosophical principles or his under- standing of the facts; and he sets to work to think out the solution and ad- just himself to the truth. Thus shall he constantly grow in wisdom and understanding.
But there is another fault to be guarded against even more carefully than the inclination toward militant and dogmatic defense of one's beliefs, and it presents greater difficulties be- cause it lies more deeply rooted within the personality. This is the disposition to resent personal criticism and to de- fend oneself with such vigor that little or no consideration is given to the criticism. It is the most common, as well as the most personally injurious, course that people take. It is, once more, the mental attitude that closes
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the mind to truth, and to the very truth that is perhaps most needed. There is an occult maxim that "every contact is an opportunity." It is also true that every contact with another furnishes us a teacher, but that we usually foolishly reject the teaching when it touches our vanity or pride. The true student of occultism is as will- ing to learn from babes as from sages. He tries to keep an open mind, always at attention, always receptive to truth regardless of the source and regard- less of how it may affect him person- ally. He should not only welcome crit- icism but should regard the critic as his friend and teacher. If he is wise he will extract a valuable lesson from the criticism. He will think it calmly over and try to get his critic's point of view. If he can see that there was good ground for the criticism he will set to work at once to eliminate the fault on which it was based. If he
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cannot find cause for the criticism, and reaches the conclusion that it was un- just, he will understand that his own false judgments of others are reacting upon him and will try henceforth to be more careful and considerate.
Undue partisanship of our beliefs shuts out the truth, and dogmatism bars the way to our further progress. Foolish sensitiveness about personal criticism likewise closes the mind to truth and leaves us firmly clinging to the very faults that prevent our spir- itual development.