To Light a Thousand Lamps - The Theosophical Society

6 / TO LIGHT A THOUSAND LAMPS
closed book to the Occident, now was beginning to emancipate
Western thought with its rich philosophic treasures.
World consciousness was ripe for change: on the one
hand, rampant materialism both in theology and science
had a stranglehold on independent inquiry and, on the
other, many people hungry to believe in the immortality of
the soul were being led astray by the will-o’-the-wisp of
spiritualistic phenomena. A cosmic vision of man and his
role in the universe was sorely needed, one that would restore
trust in divine law and o¤er meaningful explanation of
the seemingly cruel injustices of earthly existence.
H. P. Blavatsky, a woman of extraordinary gifts powered
by a fearless devotion to truth and to the eradication of the
causes of human su¤ering, became the leading exponent for
the modern theosophical movement. One of a long line of
‘‘transmitters’’ of the universal god-wisdom, she cast into
the thought-atmosphere of the world electrifying ideas, innovative
ideas, ideas which would revolutionize the thinking
of mankind. Chief among these was that we are a oneness.
She encouraged the investigation and study of the spiritual
heritage of all peoples, in order to eradicate the conceit that
any race or people is the ‘‘chosen one,’’ has the only true
religion and the one and only God. Even a casual examination
of other belief systems broadens our horizons. It
is a thrilling experience to discern the same golden thread
running through every tradition, whether religious, philosophic,
or so-called primitive; we feel at once a sympathy, an
empathy, with all who hold or cherish these truths. This in
itself makes for a oneness, a feeling of understanding, a linkage
of destiny.