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References to Cyril Scott caught my eye in the correspondence
from Ms Jean Overton Fuller (for whose works I have a great
deal of respect) and your printed reply.
The writings of Scott featured strongly in the early years
of my 'search' into metaphysical matters --some 30 odd years
ago--and I wonder if I may add one or two comments of my
own.
Scott, in his autobiography [Bone of Contention: Life
Story and Confessions (London: Aquarian Press, 1969)],
manages to still leave us somewhat mystified over the central
character 'JMH' in his wonderful 'Initiate' books by still
referring to the afterword in an edition of Outline of
Modern Occultism where he states that '.... the material
was given to me by someone else whose identity could not
be revealed.'
Having said that, the main characters appearing within
that series of books are clearly named within the autobiography
.... Brian Ross (David Anrias), Nelsa Chaplin (Christabel
Portman), Florin Jones (Toni Bland) and, of course, Rose
Allatini (Viola)--his real wife. One can assume from this
alone that the bulk of the stories are based on actualities.
As to the central character--JMH--elsewhere in the autobiography,
much is made of Scott's interest in Tantrik Yoga and his
association with a remarkable teacher of physiological Yoga--Dr.
P.A.Bernard. Scott describes this man as a 'great Yogi',
one who was able to 'hold his breath for 10 minutes at a
time and go off into samadhi'.
Some years after reading the Initiate books and before
obtaining the autobiography, I came across a book on Hatha
Yoga written by a certain Theos Bernard.... I quote from
the preface:
‘....I became the sincere disciple of a highly esteemed
teacher and settled down at his retreat in the hills near
Ranchi..... In order to further my studies, it was suggested
by my teacher that I go to Tibet..... My first intimate
contact with the training as it is found in Tibet was through
a renowned hermit on the border in northern Sikkim.....
My travels culminated in a pilgrimage to the holy city,
Lhasa where I was accepted as an incarnation of a Tibetan
saint....’
Dr. Bernard gained access to manuscripts and training through
his acceptance as a re-incarnating saint and subsequently
gained the facility to enter samadhi etc.
I have always, since obtaining this priceless book of teaching,
had a sneaking suspicion that the Dr. P.A. Bernard mentioned
by Scott and Dr. Theos Bernard M.A., Ph.D., LL.B were one
and the same and were the inspiration behind J.M.H.
Consider the following text, printed within the inside
of the second leaf of this book...
"This account of the death of the author was related
by Mr.G.A.Bernard, the author's father:
"In 1947, Theos Bernard was on a mission to the KI
monastery in western Tibet in search of some special manuscripts.
While on his way, rioting broke out among the Hindus and
the Moslems in that section of the hills; all Moslems including
women and children in the little village from which Theos
departed were killed.
"The Hindus then proceeded into the mountains in pursuit
of the Moslems who had accompanied Theos as guides and muleteers.
These Moslems, it is reported, learning of the killings,
escaped, leaving Theos and his Tibetan boy alone on the
trail. It is further reported that both were shot and their
bodies thrown into the river.
"To date we have not been able to get any authentic
information on the entire circumstances of his death, nor
have we any line on the effects Theos had with him. That
region of Tibet is so very remote that it is unlikely we
shall ever learn the full details."
How very sad .... but how very 'Damodaresque'.
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
The Book is Hatha Yoga by Theos Bernard and published
by Rider & Company.
Regards
John Laidlaw
[A study by Ms Jean Overton Fuller about Cyril Scott was
published by Theosophical History in its Occasional
Papers series. There is a scholarly
Web site on Dr. Pierre Arnold Bernard, who is, according
to some, the best candidate for the real identity of the
character J.M.H. in Scott's Initiate books]
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