CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS/INTRO
INTRODUCTION.
In
preparing this series of lessons for students of Western lands, I have been
compelled to proceed along lines exactly opposite to those which I would have
chosen had these lessons been for students in India. This because of the
diametrically opposite mental attitudes of the students of these two several
lands.
The
student in India expects the teacher to state positively the principles
involved, and the methods whereby these principles may be manifested, together
with frequent illustrations (generally in the nature of fables or parables),
serving to link the new knowledge to some already known thing. The Hindu
student never expects or demands anything in the nature of "proof" of
the teachers statements of principle or method; in fact, he would regard it as
an insult to the teacher to ask for the same. Consequently, he does not look
for, or ask, specific instances or illustrations in the nature of scientific
evidence or proof of the principles taught. He may ask for more information,
but solely for the purpose of bringing out some point which he has not grasped;
but he avoids as a pestilence any question seeming to indicate argument, doubt
of what is being taught him, or of the nature of a demand for proof or
evidence.
The
Western student, on the other hand, is accustomed to maintaining the skeptical
attitude of mind—the scientific attitude of doubt and demand for proof—and the
teacher so understands it. Both are accustomed to illustrations bringing out
the principles involved, but these illustrations must not be fanciful or
figurative—they must be actual cases, well authenticated and vouched for as
evidence. In short, the Western teacher is expected to actually
"prove" to his students his principles and methods, before he may
expect them to be accepted. This, of course, not from any real doubt or suspicion
of the veracity or ability of the teacher, but merely because the Western mind
expects to question, and be questioned, in this way in the process of teaching
and learning.
Consequently,
in this series of lessons, I have sought to follow the Western method rather
than the Hindu. So far as is possible, I have avoided the flat positive
statement of principles and methods, and have sought to prove each step of the
teaching. Of course, I have been compelled to assume the existence of certain
fundamental principles, in order to avoid long and technical metaphysical and
philosophical discussions. I have also had to content myself with the positive
flat assertion of the existence of the Astral Plane, Akashic Records, Prana,
etc., which are fundamental postulates of Hindu philosophy and occult
science—for these are established solely by the experience of those who are
able to function on the higher planes themselves. But, beyond this I have
sought to prove by direct and positive evidence (adapted to the Western mind)
every step of my teaching and methods.
In
offering this scientific proof, I have purposely omitted (except in a few
instances) all mention of occult or psychic phenomena occurring in India, and
have confined myself to instances occurring in Western lands to Western
persons. Moreover, I have avoided quoting and citing Hindu authorities, and
have, instead, quoted and cited from authorities well known and respected in
Western lands, such as the Society for Psychical Research, and the prominent
scientists interested in the work of the said society. In this way I have
sought to furnish the Western student with examples, cases, and illustrations
familiar to him, and easily referred to. Had I cited Indian cases, I might be
accused of offering proof that could not be easily verified; and quoting
persons unknown to my readers. There is a wealth of such cases and illustration
in India, naturally, but these as a rule are traditional and not available in
printed form; and these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western
student.
I
must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases and
illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely Western, the
principles they illustrate and prove are among the oldest known to Hindu occult
science and philosophy. In fact, having been accepted as proved truth in India,
for centuries past, there is very little demand for further proof thereof on
the part of the Hindus. In the Western world, however, these things are
comparatively new, and must be proved and attested accordingly. So, as I have
said, I have cut the cloth of my instruction to conform with the pattern
favored for the Western garment of knowledge. So far as the illustrations and
cases, the quotations and citations are concerned—these are purely Western and
familiar to the student. But, when it comes to the principles themselves, this
is another matter—I must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth
of Hindu thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their roots must
dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has stood the storms and
winds of thousands of years. But the branches of this mighty tree are
wide-spreading, and there is room for many Western students to rest in its
shade and shelter.
In
these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little books, entitled
"The Astral World," and "The Human Aura," respectively. To
those who are interested in these subjects, I recommend these little books;
they are sold at a nominal price, and contain much that will be helpful to the
student of Hindu Occult Science. They are not required, however, to complete
the understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons, and are
mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the student who wishes
to take little "side excursions" away from the main trip covered in
these lessons.
I
trust that my students will find the pleasure and satisfaction in studying
these lessons that I have in writing them.
SWAMI
PANCHADASI.
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