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Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism392
attention to a remarkable fact, namely, that in the majority of these crude
ancient teachings may be found an esoteric or secret teaching intended
for the few advanced souls of that generation, and those to follow—just
enough to show that the teachers understood the higher teachings. These
esoteric teachings are found embedded in the exoteric teachings intended
for the multitude. It has ever been so. The teachings of Christ are not
understood by the masses of today, not to speak of yesterday. Look at the
history of Christianity and see how the so-called followers of the Christ
misunderstood his teachings—see how barbarous and savage have been
their conceptions, and are even to this day. And yet, the advanced soul in
every generation for the last nineteen hundred years has been able to read
the esoteric teachings between the lines of the imperfectly reported, and
often distorted accounts of the sayings of Jesus. And yet, Christ’s teachings
have done wonderful work, in spite of the lack of understanding. The ethics
of the Sermon on the Mount are not in force today—the race has not grown
up to them—but future generations will live by their light and guidance.
At this point, let us call your attention to a fact. The teachings of all the
prophets were intended to help man in casting off the old sheaths of the
lower planes of the mind, and to help him to work his way to a higher
stage of growth. The evolution of the soul was the end aimed at, and all
observances were intended for that purpose. One step at a time was, and
is, the rule. The word spoken was not the final word, but was intended to
fit in a certain place. This is the key to much that has perplexed you in the
past. Another important point to remember, is that all the teachings were
intended to raise man up and all were for his own benefit. They were not
intended to make man perform certain duties toward God, as we have been
taught to believe. God was not worrying about man’s lack of consideration
toward him. He was not vain-glorious, and demanding worship and burntofferings
to tickle his nostrils. Such ideas belong to the infancy of the race.
God gets along very well without man’s worship and praise. Man alone is
the gainer by the love of God—the Absolute is not injured or benefited