“Mr. B. Keightley: This is an attempt to put forth in plain and simple language the principle ideas of Theosophy, what we believe in and what we don’t believe in, in the form of question and answer between a Mystic and an Enquirer. It is just divided into sections – fourteen sections – each of which again is subdivided under headings – not numbers – but headings with titles, just to indicate the subjects that are dealt with.
The whole idea of the thing is to make it practical, simple and straightforward, and not very metaphysical or abstruse. It is more of the nature of a popular book.
Mme. Blavatsky: You see, the people ask such extraordinary questions. Any one who speaks of Theosophy will ask you if you are a Buddhist. Theosophy is not a religion, it is not a sect, and nobody is forced to believe or not believe.
A Theosophist may belong to any religion, and to no religion, if he likes. What does it matter? He may be a very good man and justify his name of Theosophist more than anyone else; but people will not take this in their heads, they will come and say all of them that we are esoteric Buddhists, without understanding what esoteric Buddhism means.
So it is time to give them answers to the most simple questions as to what we believe and don’t believe, and this thing is one of the chapters. Of course, it is impossible to read the others, but I have taken one of them – for instance, “Theosophical Duties” – and I want everyone to suggest what will be the needed thing. What questions are the most necessary?
All of you go about, and you ought to know what it is that which the public misunderstands the most, what is that which will do the most good; because it is something terrible, the misconceptions that are in the world about Theosophy. They do not seem to know what Theosophy is.
Mr. B. Keightley: I think the best plan would be that as I read it, anybody who has suggestions to make should stop me – because they will not be able to follow me, otherwise. The section, as a whole, is called “What is Practical Theosophy”, and the first subdivision is on “Duty” (Reads from manuscript -The Key To Theosophy, section XII)
Mr. Williams: Is it proposed that this should be circulated about?
Mr. B. Keightley: This is part of a book that HPB has written.
Mme. Blavatsky: I will finish it in a day or two. It has been announced yesterday, The Key to Theosophy. Everyone complains that The Secret Doctrine is so abstruse and difficult, that we will give this and perhaps they will say this one is too difficult. I don’t know what to say. I am putting all the questions I have had over and over again; therefore, I am answering these.
A Lady: I think that is most useful.
Mme. Blavatsky: But now we must have suggestions, if there is anything more to say; because, when it goes to press we cannot put anything more, and we have to explain as much as we can all that Theosophy is and is not. Afterwards, people may come and say, why didn’t you put this and that? And then it will be too late.”
H. P. Blavatsky
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 