To Light a Thousand Lamps - The Theosophical Society

120 / TO LIGHT A THOUSAND LAMPS
thought-transference more often than they realize, especially
with those close to them. Then there are the sensitives, who
have a sort of sixth sense which, when manifesting unsought
and in a completely natural way, is often a protection for
others and for themselves. But when these powers are
sought out of vanity, as a self-indulgence, or a running away
from the discipline of daily responsibility, they readily become
a danger. Those who have a ‘‘spirit guide,’’ who prate
about hearing the ‘‘bells,’’ or through automatic writing receive
the ‘‘most wonderful teachings,’’ should be wary, lest
what they are ‘‘seeing’’ or ‘‘hearing’’ may not be wisdom
‘‘from above, but is earthly’’ ( James 3:15); or be as candlelight
compared to the brilliance of the sun.
At the risk of oversimplification, let us draw a parallel
between the fate of the alcoholic and the psychic addict.
Before they realize what is happening, they have become
‘‘possessed’’ by a force outside of themselves which they feel
powerless to control. Just as iron filings are drawn to lines
of magnetic force, so are ‘‘elemental beings’’ from the astral
body of earth attracted to whomever will give them an
opening; and the lowest planes of the astral are weighted
down with humanity’s most evil thoughts. Fortunate are
those whose pure goodness a¤ords them protection, for they
will respond only to that which is akin to them.
We find warnings in Buddhist writings against the improper
use of our psychic faculties. In one of the texts of
the Pāli Canon* an incident is reported of a merchant of
Rājagaha who acquired a block of sandalwood and had a
*Cullavagga, V, 8:1‒2, Sacred Books of the East, 20:78‒81.