To Light a Thousand Lamps - The Theosophical Society

Who Will Save Us? / 167
there been a corresponding purification of character, a parallel
disciplining and control of the passional and mental
nature to sustain the vision? Unless he has ruthlessly striven
to denude himself of self-pride and greed, the momentary
opening to the inner worlds leaves him vulnerable to alien
forces from the lower astral realms which, when not controlled
by the higher will, may turn demonic.
We recall an astute observation made by William Law
(1686‒1761), theosopher, Christian divine, and a profound
student of the writings of Jakob Boehme:
Would you know . . . whence it is, that so many false Spirits
have appeared in the World, who have deceived themselves
and others with false Fire, and false Light, laying Claim to
Inspirations, Illuminations, and Openings of the Divine Life,
pretending to do Wonders under extraordinary Calls from
God? It is this; they have turned to God without turning
from themselves; would be alive in God, before they were
dead to their own Nature . . .
Now Religion in the Hands of Self, or corrupt Nature,
serves only to discover Vices of a worse kind, than in Nature
left to itself.*
Note the phrase: ‘‘they have turned to God without turning
from themselves.’’ Human nature hasn’t changed much
over the centuries! How many of those, eager for transformative
experiences of a higher order, are willing to take the
first steps in self-discipline, much less endure long and arduous
training and testing of integrity and motive over life-
*William Law, The Spirit of Prayer: or The Soul Rising out of the
Vanity of Time, into the Riches of Eternity, Prayer 2.1‒32; cf. Aldous
Huxley, The Perennial Philosophy, p. 243.