QUOTES & SUMMARIES
C CHAPTER I (p.7-12)
What is occultism?
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Page 8. There are states of consciousness which transcend the normal, and when these states prevail, we can discern forms of existence with which normally we have no contact. All the seers are agreed on this point, and we may take it as being the fundamental experience from which occult science is derived.
[Psychology has demonstrated the importance and causative nature of factors present in the subconscious mind. Yet, most 'scientific' or 'academic' discussion seems to assume the unconscious and unconscious perceptions have no effects in the 'real', physical world.]
Page 8-9 ... It is the cumulative supernatural experience of the ages, perceived by means of the supernormal faculties sporadically developed in mankind, that forms the subject-matter of occult science and the data for its speculations.
Page 9 Natural science lays its evidence before the five physical senses possessed by every normal human being; occult science makes its appeal to the judgment of senses but rarely to be found developed in human beings.
Page 10 It must, however, always be kept in mind that occultism is more than a philosophy or science: it is a vast range of experience, and it is this body of experience that its speculations seek to systematise and explain.
Page 10 We can define occultism as an extension of psychology, for it studies certain little-known aspects of the human mind and the mind side of Nature. Its findings, rightly formulated and understood, fit in with what is already established in psychology and natural science... There must be no discrepancies between its findings and those of natural science upon such points as natural science is in a position to test.
Page 11 Occultism, however, is more than a science to be pursued objectively; it provides also a philosophy of life derived from its experiences, and it is this philosophical, or even religious aspect, that attracts most of those who devote their lives to it. Out of experience of the rare states of consciousness which it studies comes a greatly changed attitude towards revealed religion, for the seeker has now penetrated to the planes whence the revelations come, and for him they have an entirely different significance and validity. He is no longer dependent upon faith, he has had personal experience, and out of that experience he tends to formulate a religious belief in which he himself aspires to share in the work usually assigned to saints and angels as the ministers and messengers of God. From time immemorial the training and teaching of specially selected individuals have gone on with that end in view, and the schools dedicated to that work are known as the Mystery Schools.
Page 12 ... the Mystery Schools teach the great fundamental doctrine of reincarnation, that is to say, the oscillation of the soul between the seen and the Unseen. This is a concept which changes our entire attitude towards life, and on this point occultism has not only a philosophy, but a system of ethics.
Page 12 ... [The speculations of occultism] throw light upon every aspect of life; they explain much that, considered only from the mundane aspect, is inexplicable, and they place religion upon a basis of experience, not of blind belief.
CHAPTER II (p.13-21)
Is occultism worthwhile?
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Page 13 ... There is no religion higher than Truth and is prepared to face martyrdom for it, even that hardest of martyrdoms which is received in the house of one's friends.
page 14. Those of us who have chosen the Path of Occultism are even more in need of self-criticism than most people, for we have chosen for our study a subject in which there is no standard of criticism and in which each is a law unto himself, claiming, if he be so minded, independent revelation from sources beyond the judgment of human reason7mdash;a possession as unsatisfactory as a private printing-press for bank-notes.
page 15. [Though the presentation of many occult schools turn out to be false stage sets, most are an attempt to portray what actually exists in reality, though on a vast scale.] [This is] the function and limitation of a school of initiation.
page 17. The training of the degrees is designed to teach the mind to rise to the abstract and transcend thought, for it is only when thought ceases that apprehension begins.
page 17. ... the occult doctrines are a system of algebra that enables the mind to function beyond the range of thought.
page 18. ... the astral plane [is ] the psychology of the objective imagination.
page 19. ... some of the utterances that have been given to the world in the name of Occult Science are simply in execrable taste and would disgrace a patent medicine.
page 19. ... cosmic law and occult doctrine, as we know them, are only human conceptions of that which transcends any powers of direct perception possessed by the incarnated ego, and can be no more than an approximation, an attempt to conceive with the aid of a symbol that which in itself is unthinkable.
page 20. An order or fraternity upon the physical plane is what we make it; the Masters upon the astral planes are what we conceive them to be. It is only through human consciousness that Spirit can work upon the plane of matter. The astral plane is simply thought into existence and thought out of existence by the composite imagination of the globe, and we are freed from its dominion when we realise its subjective nature.
Occult science, rightly understood, teaches us to regard all things as states of consciousness, and then shows us how to gain control of consciousness subjectively; which control, once acquired, is soon reflected objectively.
page 21. It is not only worth while, but essential for the safety of the race, [for men of goodwill to learn to handle occultism], for so many men of ill-will have learnt to handle it.
CHAPTER III (p.22-28)
The deeper issues of occultism
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CHAPTER IV (p.29-38)
Credulity in occult research
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CHAPTER V (p.39-51)
Meditation and psychism
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CHAPTER VI (p.52-59)
The use and abuse of astrology
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CHAPTER VII (p.60-71)
Records of past lives
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CHAPTER VIII (p.72-84)
Numerology and prophecy
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CHAPTER IX (p.85-93)
Group karma in occult societies
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CHAPTER X (p.94-106)
Authority and obedience in occultism
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CHAPTER XI (p.107-116)
Secrecy in occult fraternities
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CHAPTER XII (p.117-124)
The left-hand path
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CHAPTER XIII (p.125-132)
Occultism and immorality
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CHAPTER XIV (p.133-142)
Psychic pathologies
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CHAPTER XV (p.143-146)
Mental trespassing
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CHAPTER XVI (p.147-159)
Occultism and vegetarianism
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CHAPTER XVII (p.160-168)
Eastern methods and western bodies
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CHAPTER XVIII (p.169-180)
Standards of judgement
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CHAPTER XIX (p.181-192)
The ideals of occultism
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