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An Appreciation
of C. W. Leadbeater
by Geoffrey Hodson
The reliability of the seership of C. W. Leadbeater has
been challenged by E. L. Gardner, who has described the
former's occult experiences as being mere unconscious "thought-creations".
Since some members of the Theosophical Society have become
very disturbed by this charge, I have decided, in response
to many requests, to relate certain personal experiences
which demonstrate to me that E. L. Gardner is in error.
One of the accusations made by Mr. Gardner is that C. W.
Leadbeater's supposed contacts with the Masters of the Wisdom
were largely imaginary, being the result of the unconscious
projections of his own thoughts. It should be remembered,
however, that C. W. Leadbeater received two letters from
one of the Masters, both being in solid, objective form
and transmitted occultly from beyond the Himalayas. This
being the case, neither Mr. Gardner nor anyone else can
truthfully say that C W. Leadbeater's first contacts with
the Masters were imaginary. The two letters were, and still
are, physical objects now preserved in the archives of the
Theosophical Society. (The K.H. Letters to C. W. Leadbeater,
C. Jinarajadasa).
Although a very great deal of what C. W. Leadbeater said
and described is beyond my own limited experience, I am
able to offer the testimony that I have independently become
assured of the truth of certain of his teachings. The existence
of the human aura, for example, and of the changes and conditions
produced in it by both temporary and habitual feelings and
thoughts, are undeniable facts for me. It fell to my lot
for some six years to make a special study of this subject,
having been drawn into collaboration with certain medical
men and used as an investigator and diagnostician in London
from 1923 to 1929. Again and again in the course of my investigations
I received evidence of the close relationship existing between
the physical body and clairvoyantly observable psychological
and mental conditions.
As I thus studied the subject I found that much which is
written in Man Visible and Invisible and Thought-Forms concerning
the aura, and the astral and mental bodies of man, is strictly
in accordance with my own observations. I am therefore able
to say that I know that the human aura exists, and that
it is correctly portrayed in many of the descriptions and
illustrations contained in these two books by C. W. Leadbeater.
The health aura (The Etheric Double, A. E. Powell), to
which C. W. Leadbeater also draws attention, was the first
etheric phenomenon which I observed and later charted, noting
the outflowing from the body of both unused and used prana
and of certain electro-magnetic forces. I further remember
sending a copy of my chart to E. L. Gardner and a group
of students then gathered around him. I confirm, in addition,
the existence and visibility of the vitalising, life-energy
from the sun, known in Sanskrit as prana, its absorption
by the body, and its later distribution to different organs
according to a very precise system of reception, individualisation
and circulation of that life-energy.
I am also able to support, from independent observations
made throughout a great many years, C. W. Leadbeater's teachings
concerning the existence of the Serpent Fire or kundalini.
(The Chakras, C. W. Leadbeater). I have made a special study
of this force in varying degrees of its activity, including
its effects upon advanced occultists in whom it is fully
aroused. The resultant increased functions of the seven
force-centres or chakras in the etheric, astral and mental
bodies of man have also long been a subject of study.
I pause at this point to assure my readers that the above
and following observations concerning C. W. Leadbeater's
seership are offered in response to special requests. It
was thought that, as one who has carried out researches
in the same field of study, I might be regarded as an acceptable
witness.
Continuing, I am also able to confirm that one can be conscious
and active in one's superphysical bodies whilst the physical
body is asleep. In consequence, I have found that it is
possible to serve effectively in this manner as helper,
healer and protector of one's fellowmen. (Invisible Helpers,
C. W. Leadbeater).
The existence of nature spirits and of the Angelic Hosts
has become a reality to me and here again C. W. Leadbeater's
vision, far outranging my own, is to me a correct source
of information concerning members of this other kingdom
of Nature. He also wrote Occult Chemistry, a work admittedly
not yet found to be in conformity with modern physics. The
book consists both of co-ordinated and illustrated descriptions
of presumed etheric counterparts of the atoms of the then
known chemical elements, and of other expositions of occult
physics. I was at one time invited to collaborate with a
scientist who, without informing me of the statements contained
in Occult Chemistry, requested that I should attempt clairvoyant
investigation of certain elements. The existence of etheric
structures similar to the geometrical figures which C. W.
Leadbeater described were on numerous occasions also seen
by myself.
C.W. Leadbeater's teachings that the akashic records -
or memory of Nature - exist, as also does man's power to
read them, are demonstrably true for me. I have, for example,
under the direction of a scientist, clairvoyantly examined
fossil bones of ape-men and men-apes, and was later taken
into the cave where these relics were found. The palaeontologist
concerned confirmed in a written statement the correctness
of most, but not all, of that which I had described. Interestingly
enough, he tested the possibility of mind-reading by verbally
giving me faulty information, and at the same time projecting
into my mind a wrong thought-form concerning a specimen.
I was not, however, aware of either of these actions and,
as he later testified, saw and described the correct owner
of the fossil - in this case an ape. Thus the two ideas
advanced by C. W. Leadbeater - the existence of the akashic
records and of the faculty of reading them - are, I repeat,
in this instance demonstrable facts to me.
The discovery of Krishnamurti, and the prophecy that he
had been selected to be a vehicle for a great Teacher, have
an important place in E. L. Gardner's book. He assumes that
since the manifestation did not occur in the manner expected,
the prophecy was in error. Whilst this subject is referred
to in another part of this booklet, I here describe certain
experiences of my own in relation to the prophecy.
As I have elsewhere written, I attended several of the
Star Camps in Holland and was present when there was evidence
of remarkable, if brief, supernormal manifestations. On
more than one occasion some two thousand people from many
parts of the world were gathered at Ommen to hear Krishnamurti.
Each evening, all were seated in concentric circles round
a large camp fire. Krishnamurti would arrive, take his place
for a time, and then rise and apply a torch to the camp
fire. As the flames arose against the evening sky he would
chant a mantram to the god Agni, and return to his seat.
Thereafter he would begin to speak, and on more than one
occasion a noticeable change took place in him. His voice
altered and his hitherto rather iconoclastic utterances
gave way to a wonderful tenderness of expression and thought
which induced in those present an elevation of consciousness.
The Talks were followed by prolonged meditative silences.
Many of those present, myself among them, bore testimony
to the sense of divine peace which had descended, to a realisation
of the Presence of the Lord, and to an assurance that the
prophecy had begun to be fulfilled.
These phenomena occurred during some few successive years,
the events being so marked that Krishnamurti himself thereafter
changed the Objects of the Order of the Star in the East
from, in effect, "To prepare for the coming of the
Lord" to "To serve the World Teacher now that
He is in our midst." I, myself, more than once heard
Krishnamurti affirm that the great Teacher was now here
and that the "Coming" had actually occurred. Even
now when he is speaking, with others I discern a spiritual
influence emanating from him, as if a great Being were still
using him as a vehicle. This, however, does not constitute
a complete fulfilment of the original prophecy.
The foregoing and many other experiences prevent me from
allowing to pass unchallenged an attack upon the seership
of C. W. Leadbeater. I am convinced that his occult experiences
were no mere projections of his own thought-creations, and
it should ever be remembered that he himself never assumed
total accuracy; neither did he ever ask his readers to believe
his observations merely because they were made by him. He
wished them to be judged on their merits alone, after application
of the tests of reason and intuition. Indeed, recalling
C. W. Leadbeater's presence, the clarity of his mind and
the stamp of authority and greatness in him, I deny that
he was a self-deceived, deluded man. E. L. Gardner himself
recognises this in the remarkable perception and pre-vision
exhibited by C. W. Leadbeater in his discovery that an apparently
normal Indian boy was, in fact, the reincarnation of an
advanced human being, as has since been proved to be the
case; for Krishnamurti is today recognised throughout the
world as a great teacher and helper of mankind, large numbers
of people flocking to hear him wherever he goes.
Finally, I think it would be a great tragedy if, because
of E. L. Gardner's attack upon C. W. Leadbeater, less notice
were taken of the latter's valuable writings, especially
those which expound basic Theosophy, for he always wrote
with rare lucidity. His unique contributions to the literature
upon the spiritual life, the Path of Discipleship, the Masters
of the Wisdom and the Great White Brotherhood of Adepts
upon Earth, are not likely to be equalled in their power
to transform people's lives in this period of world history.
With so many other revealers of spiritual and occult wisdom
to mankind, he has been - and by E. L. Gardner is now-decried
and assailed. For me, however, C W. Leadbeater was a giant
amongst men, a great teacher and light-bringer to mankind,
and I am indeed grateful for this opportunity of adding
my testimony to that of others who knew him far more intimately
than ever was my own privilege.
Geoffrey Hodson.
C. W. Leadbeater:
A Self-illumined Man
by Some of His Pupils
We, the undersigned, are moved to protest against the attack
upon C. W. Leadbeater made by Mr. E. L. Gardner in his booklet,
There Is No Religion Higher Than Truth, adding our voices
to those already raised on C.W.L.'s behalf. We do this for
the following reasons:
Mr. Gardner has attacked a very great servant of humanity,
no longer alive to defend himself.
In response to the ideal of "A valiant defence of those
who are unjustly attacked", as consistently taught
by C.W.L.
As his pupils, drawn for some years into close association
with him, we are able to state categorically that, for us,
he was certainly not a self-deluded man (Mr. Gardner's accusation
against him). On the contrary, we know C.W.L. to have been
a self-illumined seer, and this certainty of ours is supported
not only by natural intuitive responses throughout many
years, but also by direct, independent experiences of an
extra-sensory nature. We also affirm our conviction that
C.W.L. was, in fact, in close association with certain Adepts,
this relationship having begun on receipt of two letters
from his own Master. (The K.H. Letters to C. W. Leadbeater,
C. Jinarajadasa)
Mr. Gardner's use of the official Motto of the Theosophical
Society, "There Is No Religion Higher Than Truth,"
as the title of his booklet is, in our opinion, most regrettable.
It would seem that by using this Motto he intended to imply
that he is in possession of the truth, and therefore in
a position rightfully to sit in judgement on C.W.L. A very
high position indeed, for he would also have to assume a
mantle of greater truthfulness than C.W.L. Yet we discover
that in support of his charges, namely that C.W.L. was guilty
of errors caused by self-delusion, he has demonstrably misquoted
passages from theosophical literature.
In all our association with C.W.L. we found him to be the
last person ever to claim infallibility, either in his exposition
of theosophical teachings or in his own researches. On the
contrary, he always said in effect:"This is what I
have discovered to be true for myself. Use your reason and
your intuition and, if you have them, your own clairvoyant
faculties, to verify or disprove my findings. Thus you may
discover truth for yourself." Mr. Gardner has ignored
this approach to truth which was typical of C.W.L. If, furthermore,
Mr. Gardner so gravely doubted C.W.L.'s teachings, one may
ask why, during the years of his acquaintance with C.W.L.
when he was alive, did he not express personally his doubts
and so give C.W.L. the opportunity to defend himself? Why
wait until more than thirty years after C.W.L.'s death?
Those of us who knew him well, however, are aware that had
Mr. Gardner attacked him while he was alive, he would never
have defended himself; for this was something he had always
steadfastly refused to do.
When appraising the life of an occultist, it is necessary
to remember that much of that life must inevitably be hidden
from public view, because it is private and personal; also
that this concealment is deliberate, for there is a self-imposed
discipline of silence. Nevertheless the existence of these
hidden factors, of which Mr. Gardner should be well aware,
must in all justice be taken into account. This is especially
so when considering attacks upon the life and work of such
a selfless Theosophist and server of mankind as was our
friend and teacher - C.W.L. Some day in the future, we feel
sure, the world will recognise C.W.L.'s genius, his immense
contributions to spiritual and occult knowledge, and his
absolute purity of heart and single-minded integrity up
to the day of his death.
We who knew and respected C.W.L. are particularly disturbed
by, and take grave exception to, the introduction by Mr.
Gardner of a satirical note on the first page of his booklet.
Satire has been defined as being essentially a criticism
of folly or vice, which it holds up to ridicule or scorn.
It is simply sarcastic expression deliberately used thus
to draw attention to that which is purported to be erroneous.
This undesirable frame of mind causes a doubt to arise in
the mind of the genuine enquirer as to the sincerity of
the author in stating on the following page his "warm
indebtedness" to C.W.L. Those students who seriously
study the Ancient Wisdom must surely be struck by the hypocrisy
of such an attitude and its expression. In the analysis
he claimed to have found "evidence" and "proof"
in support of his accusation. It is then suggested that
the "phenomenon of 'unconscious Kriyashakti'"
is the cause of it all.
To the general public, or world at large, this may seem
very impressive and could possibly be readily believed.
Yet on close examination it proves not to be an analysis
at all, but merely expressions of the writer's own personal
doubts. A series of quotations follow, some if not all of
which are fragments pieced together to convey a meaning
different from the real message of the originals when read
in their complete form. A false image is thus presented
(The Science of the Sacraments, C. W. Leadbeater), which
in actual fact throws a wrong light on a series of events
and the personalities who played a part in them; for in
these quotations neither proof nor evidence can be found
at all.
Two Letters of the Mahatmas, (The Mahatma Letters To A.
P. Sinnett, A. T. Barker) Nos. 10 and 134, are quoted, for
example, and alleged to convey Their views on "the
celebration of the Mass", "the effect of consecration
and of priesthood" and "numerous details of ecclesiastical
procedure" in the Liberal Catholic Church; for it is
this Church and its teaching which are now also under attack
in the booklet. Firstly, as far as is known these Letters
were written in the last century, long before the L.C.C.
was founded, and cannot therefore be regarded as an expression
of the Mahatma's views on this Church and its teaching.
Secondly, Letter No. 10 consists of notes on the then existing
conceptions of God and the forms of worship in the then
existing denominations of various religions in the world,
of which the Christian Religion is one. The views expressed
in Letter No. 10, however, are in complete harmony with
- and the underlying principle of - the teaching of the
Liberal Catholic Church. (Demonstrated in the accompanying
Article by The Rt. Rev. Marijn Brandt).
At the time when the Mahatma Letters were written, both
orthodox conceptions of God and ecclesiastical practices
were of such a nature as to call forth and justify the Master
K.H.'s denunciations. The L.C.C., which brings Theosophy
into Christianity, was not yet in existence. Therefore the
Master's remarks cannot possibly be regarded as being directed
against that Church. Letter No. 134 refers to misconceptions
prevalent in the then existing forms of popular religion.
The same remark can be made here as in connection with Letter
No. 10. The last sentence in the quotation is not quite
correct, for Mr. Gardner left out "and Mohamedans".
One wonders how much actual truth a serious student of
the occult doctrine can find in this booklet, which has
such an exalted title, and yet in which so much negative
thought, prejudice. suspicion and doubt are expressed in
the Introduction, and why the wrong presentation of facts?
These but serve as barriers to Mr. Gardner's own understanding,
and also cause distraction to the reader.
The Coming of the World Teacher was proclaimed by Dr. Annie
Besant in December, 1910, while she was still supposed to
be in the "plenitude of her powers" as Mr. N.
Sri Ram, President of the Theosophical Society, expressed
it in his Watch Tower Article in The Theosophist of February,
1964. It was in 1913, and not in 1912 as Mr. Gardner stated,
that she reportedly put aside the use of her clairvoyant
faculties - another misstatement of fact. Concerning the
prophetic announcement in regard to the World Teacher, Mr.
Gardner wrote: "Obviously there has been no Coming."
Referring to this in his Article, Mr. Sri Ram added the
qualification "as expected". He then went on to
say that "Krishnaji is giving a teaching, message or
whatever else we may call it, which is of unique value and
importance." This would seem to indicate a thought
in the President's mind that possibly Krishnamurti may be
to some extent a vehicle for the World Teacher. This, if
true, would negate Mr. Gardner's declaration that "there
has been no Coming."
Indeed, it is an undeniable fact that many people still
regard J. Krishnamurti as a great teacher, and this is even
stated on his current publications. For instance, on the
cover of his book Life Ahead, edited by D. Rajagopal (Harper
and Row, 1963, Copyright by Krishnamurti Writings Inc.),
we read: "A great teacher writes on the meaning of
a mature life." On the inside of the jacket there is
a reference to him as being "unique among spiritual
leaders" and the statement that "many thousands
of people from all walks of life have been uplifted and
spiritually reborn through his teachings." This is
the man whom C.W.L. saw as a poor boy in India and recognised
as one who would become a great teacher. Dr. Annie Besant,
with the assistance Of C.W.L., subsequently gave him both
protection and education. Is not this in itself a living
testimony of C.W.L.'s powers of seership?
Mr. Geoffrey Hodson, also commenting, has raised the question
of how any human being can with certainty affirm that Krishnamurti
is or is not a vehicle, which gives rise to the further
question: "How does Mr. Gardner know?" Mr. Hodson
continued: "The absence of drama and of miracle is
no proof that in both the presentation of certain ideas
and the function of a channel for the Lord's outflowing
inspiration and blessing, Krishnamurti may not very well
be serving according to the Lord's original plan; for He,
in His wisdom, may have decided to rely upon the transmission
of ideas rather than the production of dramatic events and
transcendent phenomena! Indeed a quiet, persuasive, pervasive
presentation of a group of ideas, appealing as much to the
intuition as to the mind, may have been the original plan.
This is what is actually occurring and Krishnamurti's personal
renunciation of the Office, as he thought, would not in
any way affect this kind of vehicleship. Even if Mr. Gardner's
pronouncement of failure is justified, the fact would not
deny C.W.L.'s ability accurately to receive and convey communications
from the Adepts; for his actual words when first announcing
that Krishnamurti would be the vehicle for the Lord were,
according to the testimony of the late Mr. Ernest Wood who
was present, 'unless something went wrong' (See Article
entitled Krishnamurti, Memories of His Early Life, The Theosophical
Journal (England), Vol.6, No. 1, Jan-Feb., 1965. [heavy
print ours]). Mr. Wood stated also: 'This I want to emphasise
in justice to Mr. Leadbeater.' I am aware that Ernest Wood
endorsed 'almost every word' of Mr. Gardner's booklet, but
consider that this gives his testimony (quoted above) added
strength. The Lord may have decided that He would quietly
and undramatically - and here and there in Krishnamurti's
Talks, as it were - send out into the world certain selected
ideas. One of these could have been, 'where truth is concerned,
try to stand upon your own feet.'"
Mr. Gardner has laid himself open to strong criticism,
not only because he has attacked C.W.L. who, being dead,
is unable to defend himself, but also because when quoting
from The Secret Doctrine to support his attack he has been
guilty of misquoting from that work. Here are Mr. Gardner's
words from page thirteen of his booklet concerning skandhas
and Kriyashakti:" . . . Thus, the elemental enclosed
within the consciously created form, if vitalised by the
skandhas of its creator - i.e., personal desire vibrations
- will be awakened into a desire to live. And, should its
creator weaken, it may become his Frankenstein. Such is
the vivid description given by H. P. Blavatsky of the possible
result of unconscious Kriyashakti. (The Secret Doctrine,
Adyar edition, V.560)"
Let us now turn to the Volume from which Mr. Gardner affirmed
that he was quoting. Here is the relevant passage in its
original form: "It is wrong to speak of Tanhas in the
plural; there is only one Tanha, the desire to live. This
develops into a multitude or one might say a congeries of
ideas. The Skandhas are Karmic and non-Karmic. Skandhas
may produce Elementals by unconscious Kriyashakti. Every
Elemental that is thrown out by man must return to him sooner
or later, since it is his own vibration. They thus become
his Frankenstein." A comparison of these two passages
will demonstrate at once that Mr. Gardner has misquoted.
At this juncture we may justifiably demand that if Mr.
Gardner wishes to lay a charge against anyone, no matter
whom it may be, let him both present facts accurately in
their complete perspective, untainted by his own personal
desire and opinion or those of others, and found his thesis
upon irrefutable logic.
In further defence of our great teacher it may be pointed
out that he never claimed to be a perfect exponent of the
occult doctrine, but humbly offered his work as a contribution
to human thought. He has at least given us a wonderful glimpse
of the powers latent in every man, powers that we believe
enabled C.W.L. to bring the teachings of Occult Science
down into his physical brain. Whilst observing the many
activities in which he was engaged, one witnessed a scientist
at work, whether alone or in collaboration with his most
trusted colleagues. Many observations had to be made over
and over again, checked and counter-checked many times,
before the information was accepted as correct and finally
expressed in that lucid language characteristic of all that
he wrote and said. We furthermore submit that he who decides
publicly to pass judgement upon another, to do so fairly
and justly must take into account not only the external
and visible results of that person's life work but also
the very nature of his being. Those of us who were so often
elevated in consciousness in C.W.L.'s presence, and revered
him so greatly as being very much wiser than ourselves,
were never once asked to believe his teachings on his authority
alone, but were always encouraged to reason them out for
ourselves.
Finally, we wish to acknowledge before the Theosophical
Society and the world our deep respect and our love for
C. W. Leadbeater, also our profound gratitude for all that
he was and all that he gave to us of spiritual and mental
light, of true and lasting happiness, and of invaluable
practical guidance in the living of our lives, We believe
that we knew him as he really was - a great occultist, a
seer, a sage, and a selfless servant of the human Race.
Sandra Hodson; Maude Fisher; Mathias J. Van Thiel; Claire
Thompson; Ellie Freeman; David B. Ewart; Hilda van Hall;
H. H. Banks; Lilie Muller von Czernicki-van Thiel; H. A.
Edsall; J. Leonie van de Waart-van Gulik; Marjorie S. King;
Alexandra Bitter; Esme Ellison; Arthur van Gelder; Muriel
Parkes; Russel Balfour Clarke; D. Hooker; Melanie van Gelder;
Axel Poignant; Karel van Gelder; Gwendolyn Garnsey
I think all of us firmly believe that C.W.L. did all in
his power to prepare us for the task of living as sincerely
and truly as conscience dictates. Personally, I think he
had enormous courage and a wonderful and very selfless love
for all his pupils, whom he prepared as best he could, and
according to his honest convictions, for life in a terrible
age.
As to his clairvoyance, I have no power to judge as he
never stressed this. We were all very untalented on this
point, so we could not prove or disprove anything, but C.W.L.
was one of the most careful and most truthful people I know.
Therefore I do not think that he would have said anything
he did not thoroughly believe.
Furthermore, I presume it is very difficult to explain
things that no-one has ever seen or can place in any known
frame of picture or experience! I certainly do not think
C.W.L. was self-deluded. The difficulty was transmitting
what he saw to a host of others who did not have the same
vision. I think all seers must have the same trouble. If
anything, C.W.L. was more careful and less apt to exaggerate
than most people, as he was a man of little imagination
really. To us he was a great man because of his human qualities;
not because he was clairvoyant and not for his beliefs,
but because he had the courage to act accordingly and was
more capable of a real and very pure love than anyone I
know.
-Hilda van Hall.
`I only hope that, when I am as old as Mr. Gardner, I shall
not have forgotten C.W.L. as I have known him, viz. - a
man of absolute integrity, a "great" man, radiating
love and a powerful light.
- J. L. van de Waart.van Gulik.
Humanity Today is Indebted to C. W. Leadbeater for the
Advancement of Religious Thought, Especially in:
The revitalisation of Buddhism in Ceylon:
*Smaller Buddhist Catechism is a classic.
The reintroduction of esoteric teaching into Christianity
through his books.
*The Christian Creed
*The Hidden Side of Christian Festivals
*The Science of the Sacraments
*Liturgy of the Liberal Catholic Church
*and other writings
The reintroduction of esoteric teaching into modern Masonry
through his books:
*The Hidden Life in Freemasonry
*Glimpses of Masonic History
*and other writings
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